Virat Kohli’s reputation as a master chaser in One Day Internationals (ODIs) is well-earned, with his remarkable record of 7,852 runs in 155 innings at an impressive average of 64.36. His tally includes 27 centuries and 40 half-centuries, cementing his status as one of the game’s finest in high-pressure situations. Former England pacer James Anderson has praised Kohli’s exceptional ability to chase down totals, calling him potentially the greatest chaser in cricket history.
Anderson highlighted Kohli’s extraordinary self-belief and mental fortitude as key factors in his chasing prowess. According to Anderson, Kohli’s performance under pressure is a testament to his remarkable mindset.
“I don’t know if there’s ever been a better batter in the history of the game at chasing down scores than Virat Kohli. His record in these situations is absolutely phenomenal. The number of centuries he has scored in the second innings while chasing is incredible. It’s no surprise that when he’s in such situations, his mentality makes it look like it’s meant to be. His self-belief is immense,” James Anderson said on The Tailenders podcast.
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While Kohli’s success is evident in ODIs, his prowess in T20s is equally impressive. His unbeaten 82 against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is often hailed as one of the greatest T20 innings.
James Anderson also paid tribute to former Australia cricketer Michael Bevan, renowned for his finishing skills. Bevan, who played 232 ODIs and amassed 6,912 runs at an average of 53.58, was known for his reliability in the lower middle order. Anderson acknowledged Bevan’s exceptional ability to anchor innings and deliver under pressure, comparing him to Kohli’s more recent achievements.
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“Michael Bevan was phenomenal, especially in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was remarkable at number six, consistently getting the job done. Kohli, batting at number three, scores big hundreds, while Bevan was known for his crucial fifties and sixties. Both have their unique strengths, but Bevan was a master finisher,” James Anderson added.
