Red-hot Kohli dons Tendulkar mantle
GUIDING LIGHT Vice-captain’s performance should offer a big lesson for the inconsistent Rohit Sharma
NEW DELHI: If Virat Kohli is not being showered with epithets every time he produces an innings that carries India out of trouble and to victory, especially while chasing in an ODI, there are two important reasons.
One, his sheer focus to take command of the situation and let his skill come into play calms the nerves in the dressing room and stands. Secondly, perhaps India’s passionate cricket enthusiasts have exhausted words of praise on Sachin Tendulkar, his predecessor in the role of the team’s saviour.
On Sunday night in the third ODI in Mohali, India were in trouble, reduced to 41 for two on a good pitch chasing 286 for victory. The defeat in the previous game in Delhi hurt, and India need a 4-1 series win to move past New Zealand to third in the ICC team rankings for ODIs. Much like the India of the 1990s — and a fair bit in the 2000s — sank or swam with Tendulkar, the current team has also become dependent on Virat to pull off the big games, even at home. Virat clicked in Dharamsala and it was a canter. In Delhi, on his home ground, he didn’t click and the hosts fell agonisingly short.
No praise is enough for Virat, whose shot selection has been the most remarkable aspect of his batting. As powerful a hitter as any in the game, he sticks to conventional cricket and runs brilliantly between the wickets to underline near, or when big shots are the only way to find scoring momentum, does Virat shed his usual scoring rhythm and go all out. LESSONS FOR ROHIT MS Dhoni acknowledging that his days as a finisher are over puts even more load on Virat, and this is where other bats men need to step it up, be it at the top or in the lower order. The ability of Virat to switch gears depending on formats makes him a master of adaptability.
Here, there is a big lesson for ODI opener Rohit Sharma. In Mohali, he failed to negotiate a straight delivery on a good pitch to be trapped leg before for 13. A golden opportunity to drive the innings was lost.
It is time Rohit realises that the team can wait only so much for him to produce those attractive innings. He is experienced enough and needs to produce substantial knocks when needed by the team.
In Dharamsala, he fell for 14 and was out for 15 in Delhi. Each innings shows he got his eye in before being dismissed. Virat shows that for all the talent in the world, hard work brings its reward. Rohit needs to follow this path. Every time Virat takes charge of the innings, questions will be asked why he hasn’t been given the reins in ODIs as well. Dhoni promoting himself to No 4, and scoring a crucial 80, could change the approach of the side.
Virat holding firm till victory showed he is indeed the leader of the current bunch.
That promises exciting times.
› his fitness. Only when victory is theysay I can comment on how good he (Kohli) is, how consistent he is. He is certainly amongst the best. One great thing about him is that he maintains a good strike rate even without › playing high risk shots MS DHONI, on Virat Kohli’s batting The way Virat batted, he took it away from us in the end JAMES NEESHAM, New Zealand paceman