Kohli continues to torment Aussies
DESCRIBED as the greatest one-day player of all time by Aaron Finch on the eve of the current ODI series, Virat Kohli is certainly living up to the title.
Kohli delivered the 40th ODI century of his career – and seventh in the format against Australia – to earn man-of-the-match honours during India’s eight-run victory in Nagpur.
The captain’s knock of 116 was incredibly impressive given the two-paced pitch proright-hander duced a low-scoring contest, with Marcus Stoinis (52) the only other batsman to pass 50.
It was also leadership personified: the indomitable run glutton was at the crease for 248 of the 250 runs his team scored.
Kohli now averages an outrageous 59.73 in ODIs, the best effort by any player to have featured in more than 33 matches.
Pat Cummins, who dismissed Kohli in the 48th over and has tried so hard to unsettle the batting maestro in recent months, admitted the was the difference.
“He just played really good shots. I think for the most part, we bowled quite well to him,” Cummins said. “He is someone who just looks in complete command of his game … he’s got so much time.
“If someone bowls well, he’s happy to wait on them and cash in later. He doesn’t miss out on too many bad balls. Really good innings.”
Kohli offered just one chance, a run-out opportunity that Glenn Maxwell missed when the gifted batsman was on 86, before picking out Stoinis in the deep while searching for an 11th boundary.
The only time the superstar lost composure was when a pitch invader came a little too close for comfort at the start of Australia’s innings.
“It felt good (to post a 40th ODI hundred) but it’s just a number. It feels good to win games for India,” Kohli said in the post-match ceremony, adding he was exhausted.
“When I walk in to bat, when the situation gets difficult, I have no choice but to put my head down and bat through the innings.”