Indore, India — Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said Virat Kohli’s greatest strength lies in his ability to remain free of external expectations and play according to the demands of the situation, after the star batter scored a century in the third One Day International against New Zealand.
Kohli struck his 54th ODI hundred, continuing his strong run of form, but India fell short in the match as New Zealand rode on centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips.
“The thing about Virat is that he’s not tied down to an image. Many players feel pressured to play the way people expect them to. Virat isn’t like that. He’s tied to the job at hand, and that job is to score runs,” Gavaskar told Jio Star.
“Sometimes he starts watchfully and then opens up; sometimes he attacks early and then spreads the field. He’s not governed by expectations of how he should play. He plays according to the situation. That temperament is the key,” he added.
Reflecting on India’s defeat, Gavaskar said the team’s troubles stemmed from poor starts throughout the series. “Once New Zealand crossed 300, it was always going to be difficult. If the target had been around 290, it might have been possible. But India kept losing early wickets, including KL Rahul, who was in good form,” he said.
“Unless Virat got substantial support, it was always going to be tough, and he got very little of it. As they say, well begun is half done. India never began well, and that’s one of the main reasons they couldn’t chase these scores,” Gavaskar added.
He also praised allrounder Harshit Rana for his late contribution, saying the young player showed clarity in understanding his role. “He batted exactly like a lower-order batter should, without worry and without expectations. He knew his job was to swing the bat. If it came off, great. If not, no worries,” Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar highlighted the value for younger players of sharing the crease with a player of Kohli’s stature. “To bat with someone like Virat Kohli is a privilege. When such players talk to you at the end of an over and say, ‘keep going’ or ‘good shot’, those are memories you carry for life,” he said.
Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull, meanwhile, praised the visiting side for its composure and depth, calling the series win a reflection of the country’s strong development system.
“This is a special performance. Players like Jayden Lennox and Kristian Clarke came in on their first tour and stood tall in tough conditions. It shows how strong New Zealand’s pathway system is. To lose seven ODI series in a row in India shows how hard it is to win here. These players have managed to do what no one else has. It’s a brilliant achievement,” Doull said. (Source: IANS)
