The Indian stalwart, Virat Kohli said the break after the Bangladesh tour rejuvenated him and return to peak form in ODI cricket. Kohli’s comments came after he won the Player of the Series Award in India’s 3-0 win over Sri Lanka in their first ODI series of the World Cup year in 2023. Virat Kohli won his 9th Player of the Series Award in ODI cricket as he notched up 283 runs in 2 matches, which included a couple of centuries in the series against Sri Lanka.
Virat Kohli began the Year, hitting 113 in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Guwahati after he was not picked for the T20I series earlier in January. He was dismissed for 4 in the 2nd ODI but he roared back with 166 not out in the series finale which was also his second-highest ODI score. Kohli has smashed 3 ODI centuries in his last 4 innings as he hit a purple patch in the World Cup year.
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The Indian stalwart d brought up his 46th ODI hundred by hitting 13 boundaries and 8 sixes, the most he has hit in innings. Kohli raced to 166 not out as he hit his last 65 runs in just 35 balls to help India post a mammoth total of 390 for 5 in 50 overs.
As per the quotes in India Today, Virat Kohli, “I have no idea (about Player of Series awards). For me, it’s just a byproduct of the intent I have, a mindset that I play with. Mindset is always to help the team win, bat for as long as possible and if you do that, you end up making a difference.”
Runs: 283
💯: 2
Average: 141.50@imVkohli is deservedly adjudged Player of the Series after smashing 166* in the final ODI.Watch the King 👑 back in action in the Mastercard #INDvNZ ODI Series.
Jan 18 | 12:30 PM onwards | Star Sports & Disney+Hotstar#BelieveInBlue pic.twitter.com/3EKrEi6bYK— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 15, 2023
He further added, “Ever since I came back from the long break, I have been feeling good. I don’t have that desperation to get to a milestone. I am just enjoying my batting, being in a space where I can relax. Today (Sunday) as well, I was just happy to be out there batting. I am in a nice space right now and want this to continue.”
Kohli stitched two hundred-plus stands, one with Shubman Gill who shone with a 97-ball 116, his second ODI hundred. He then stitched another 100-plus stand with Shreyas Iyer, who played a crucial knock of 38.
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Talking about the bowling department, Virat Kohli said, “Shami has always been there for us but the way Siraj has come up has been outstanding. He has taken the maximum number of wickets in the powerplay, which was an issue for us early. He is always making the batters think, which is a great sign for us going into the World Cup.”
India next faces New Zealand in a 3-match ODI series at home from January 18.
