Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has revealed the reason behind Virat Kohli’s consistency after India won the first ODI against New Zealand by four wickets at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara on Sunday. Kohli scored a match-winning knock of 93 runs off just 91 balls with the help of eight fours and one six.
Once again, the talisman was able to hit the ground running and took the attack against the opposition from the get-go. Kohli also breached the 28000 runs mark in International cricket across all formats, becoming the second player to do so after Sachin Tendulkar.
Pathan noted how Kohli is advancing down the track against the fast bowlers, highlighting that his head position is strong.
“The way Virat Kohli is batting, it needs to be said ‘Virat consistent Kohli’. In the last seven innings, he has mustered three centuries and four half-centuries. He missed out on a hundred by a whisker in the first ODI and has now amassed 28000 runs in international cricket. Kohli deserves praise for the way he is approaching his innings, especially how he steps out regularly aged 37. When a batter steps out regularly, many things can go wrong,” Pathan said on his YouTube Channel.
Pathan added that Kohli’s fitness helps him in maintaining the right shape at the crease.
“But Kohli’s head position is strong and it shows his technique is strong. Your core needs to be strong, as does your calf and glutes. Only then, a batter can step out and hit those big shots. He had struck six boundaries in his first 20 balls and changed his approach after that,” he added.
The former swing bowler urged the BCCI to arrange a five-match ODI or triangular series, so that Kohli gets more chances to bat regularly.
“He played aggressively at the start but scored only one boundary in the next 50 deliveries when he was set. It is amazing to see his approach and get him better and better. I feel this should either be a five-game series or a triangular series. That way, Kohli can score more international runs. Not only was I expecting him to score a ton but also finish the game. He often does that but couldn’t today,” Pathan said.
The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Rajkot on Wednesday.
