Virat Kohli Names The Format That Tests The ‘Game Completely’. It Is…

All eyes might be on Virat Kohli when India get all the way down to motion within the Asia Cup 2023 on Saturday. The grasp batter is hungry for achievement and his type will largely outline the course that the crew takes within the competitors. Ahead of the continental occasion, speaking to official broadcasters Star Sports, Kohli confused on the technical challenges and the strategic decision-making expertise required to excel within the ODI format, together with the adaptability wanted all through the sport.

“I love playing ODI cricket. I think for me, ODI cricket is probably the one format that tests your game completely. Your technique, composure, patience, playing the situation, and playing differently in different phases of the game,” he mentioned. “So, I think it tests you as a batsman completely, and I feel the ODI cricket has always brought the best out of me because I like to embrace that challenge and play according to the situation to help my team win.

“I’ve at all times tried to do this, so yeah, as I mentioned, it provides me a chance to check myself usually, all facets of my batting, and that is why I actually get pleasure from taking part in ODI cricket,” he added.

Kohli has an excellent record in the 50-over format, averaging 66 when batting second and 48 when batting first. His ODI career so far includes 46 centuries, 26 of which were scored during run-chases, setting a record for the most hundreds scored when batting second.

Before the ICC showpiece, India are playing in the Asia Cup and will get their campaign underway against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday in Pallekele.

Meanwhile, former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif was all praise for Kohli’s phenomenal performance lately against the Men in Green, hailing his capability to take charge, especially while chasing.

“His (Kohli’s) efficiency in Australia on the T20 World Cup (final 12 months), towards Pakistan, he performed magnificently. He takes full accountability and is a chase grasp,” he said.

“The type that he had in that World Cup was due to his performances within the Asia Cup (2022), ranging from that century he hit towards Afghanistan. He had a dry run earlier than that, however after his performances within the Asia Cup, he didn’t cease; he gained matches, even the match towards Pakistan in Australia.”

While Kaif backed Kohli to continue with the same momentum, he added that the Pakistani bowlers would be under pressure to stop his free-flowing batting.

“But, the shape he’s in, the stress will at all times be on the (Pakistani) bowlers. And, the truth that he has performed the Pakistani bowlers of their final match on the T20 World Cup, he’ll know the way each Pakistani bowler bowls. Kohli will know the right way to play them. He will know what their strengths and weaknesses are,” Kaif signed off.

With PTI inputs