With steely 154* against New Zealand, Virat Kohli has established himself as best ODI batsman of this era and at 27, has time to scale higher peaks
Virat Kohli's sensational match-winning unbeaten innings of 154 against New Zealand that was pivotal in India's chase of 286 elevated his stature in world cricket. The innings once again has initiated debate on whether at the age of 26, is he the best batsman India has ever produced when it comes to batting under pressure?
There is no doubt that a player's reputation is made in games that matter the most. The Mohali's knock on Sunday was one such where he won over his critics too.
Kohli, without a shadow of a doubt, is one of the best players across formats. But when it comes to limited overs cricket, especially the 50-over format, there is no one at present in the cricketing world who can even come closer to what he has achieved in his comparatively short career so far.
With his 26th ODI ton in Mohali, Kohli moved to No. 4 in the all-time list of century makers in the format. Sachin Tendulkar heads the group with 49 followed by Ricky Ponting with 30 at number two and Sanath Jayasuriya (28) at three.
We've seen how Kohli swiftly changes his gear when it comes to chasing totals. In fact, he is the only major batsman in the world whose batting average shoots up while chasing. This can well be judged from a simple statistics — Kohli averages just over 52 overall in the ODIs. But while chasing, it shoots up to 62.
This shows his level of focus when it comes to chasing down targets. A 134-ball 154 in the third ODI against Kiwis is a clear indication that Kohli does not hold back from going for his shots.
Batsmen have different ways to approach to a target of 286 but this Delhi's boy has his own style of pacing up the innings once he gets in.
Kohli's last 10 ODI knocks — 9, 85*, 8, 106, 117, 59, 91, 7, 138, 77 — before Mohali also has a story to tell his opponents. Get him out early or get ready to face the hammering. And who knows it better than Ross Taylor, who after dropping him at six in Mohali, witnessed his bowlers being decimated.
The cricket world had seen smashing players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag or Adam Gilchrist in the last couple of decases. But Kohli is different. He has ability to shift gears quickly and as is apparent, effortlessly. At no point of time, is Kohli seen as throwing away his wicket.
The special one
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Sunday that it would be unfair to compare batsmen of different eras. But comparing Kohli with three of his contemporaries confirms that there is no one amongst the current crop, who can match him in the 50-over format.
"The biggest problem with the cricket fraternity is that we always try to compare. Over the period how cricket has been played, has changed. You can't really compare a Sunil Gavaskar to a Virender Sehwag. Both of them may open or bat at the top of the order but cricket has changed so much that it is very difficult to compare," said Dhoni.
But then the three most dominant players of this era — AB de Villiers, Joe Root and Ken Williamson — are all admirers of Kohli when it comes to chasing ODI scores. One would say that Englishman Joe Root is the most consistent among current crop in Test cricket or ABD can match Kohli stroke by stroke in Twenty20 format, but none of them come close to the Indian's ability to soak in pressure.
Dhoni said, "The kind of focus he (Kohli) has when it comes to cricket is very good. I feel he is amongst the best. It is not only about statistics. It is a pleasure to watch him bat. He plays orthodox cricket and he still scores at a very good pace. Once he decides to go after the bowlers, he can easily do that. That is where his beauty lies. Without playing high-risk shots, he still maintains a good strike rate."
"He is just fantastic irrespective of the format. That is because of his hard work and will to learn and improve in every game."
The biggest challenge now before Kohli is whether Kohli can help India win the Champions Trophy in England next year. Having not been at his best during the 2015 World Cup in Australia or during the World Twenty20 on home soil, Kohli would surely be eager to excel.
However, irrespective of what happens during English Summer, Kohli's reputation as the best contemporary ODI batsman has been established and about him being the best ever only appears to be a matter of time.
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