Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has showered praise on Virat Kohli following his impressive performance in the first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4. Kohli played a match-winning knock of 74 runs off just 51 deliveries, helping India register a five-wicket victory under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. The experienced right-hander struck 13 boundaries and a six as India chased down the revised target of 143 runs in just 22.4 overs after rain interruptions reduced the contest to 32 overs.
Kohli’s commanding performance came just a day before his 38th birthday, further highlighting his remarkable consistency in international cricket. Speaking on Sony Sports after the match, Shastri described Kohli’s innings as particularly valuable, considering the challenging batting conditions at Eden Park. He also praised the former India captain’s ability to control the chase without taking unnecessary risks.
“A 70 in conditions like these is worth a hundred. He never got ahead of himself throughout the innings. And when he stays in fourth gear like this, then God help you. When the youngsters in the dressing room watch him and how he still gets angry at getting out at 38, they’ll understand they have work to do,” Ravi Shastri said.
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The former India coach also highlighted how Kohli’s strike rotation and ability to find quick singles helped maintain pressure on the New Zealand bowlers. His approach allowed Shubman Gill to settle at the other end without having to force the scoring rate.
“He also took a lot of pressure off Shubman Gill at the other end. He gets off strike so quickly that the pressure is on the bowler at all times. I’ve seen him for all those years and I can’t tell you if he has batted better,” Ravi Shastri added.
Meanwhile, Kohli’s latest innings helped him achieve two significant milestones in ODI cricket. He equalled Ricky Ponting’s record of scoring 1,971 runs against New Zealand in ODIs, reaching the landmark in just 37 innings at an average of 57.97. Ponting required 50 innings to accumulate the same number of runs.
Kohli also surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the leading run-scorer in ODI run chases. He has now accumulated 8,741 runs in 169 innings while batting second, averaging an outstanding 66.21, compared to Tendulkar’s 8,720 runs in 242 innings.
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His record becomes even more impressive in successful ODI chases, where he has scored 6,477 runs in 108 innings at an exceptional average of 89.95. These numbers underline why Kohli continues to be regarded as one of the greatest run-chasers in the history of ODI cricket.
