NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli continued his rich vein of form, anchoring India’s chase with a neat knock of 93 off 91 deliveries as the hosts overhauled a target of 301 runs to secure a four-wicket victory and lead 1-0 in the three-match ODI series. Batting with characteristic composure, Kohli once again controlled the tempo and ensured that India stayed the course throughout the chase.The innings marked Kohli’s seventh consecutive fifty-plus score in ODI cricket since his return in October last year, underlining his remarkable consistency in the format.
Former India player Ravichandran Ashwin was full of praise for Kohli’s approach, highlighting the mental clarity that has defined the star batter’s recent performances. According to Ashwin, Kohli looks liberated at the crease, with a mix of youthful freedom and seasoned experience.“It seems like nothing is happening in his mind. You asked me what he has changed: he hasn’t changed anything; he just doesn’t think about anything. He has decided that he just wants to enjoy his cricket. It seems like he is playing with the batting attitude in his childhood, combined with the experience of so many years,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.Ashwin also reserved a special mention for Shreyas Iyer, who marked his return to international cricket after a long injury absence with a vital contribution. Iyer had been sidelined for months due to a laceration to his spleen, but showed no signs of rust, scoring 49 off 47 balls and forging an important partnership with Kohli.Reflecting on Iyer’s body of work in the 50-over format, Ashwin described him as one of India’s most reliable performers in ODIs, while acknowledging the unusual nature of his dismissal.“We know Shreyas has been Mr. Constant for India in ODI cricket. His dismissal was very different from Shreyas; he never leaves the game like that – he usually finishes it. But it’s very understandable; he makes a comeback, and it was a good ball from Jamieson,” he added.The second ODI of the series will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday.
