THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Virat Kohli is enjoying his second wind and he is blowing opponents away. Much like Part I,
Kohli Part 2 is looking hungrier for big runs and has started producing those with consummate ease and effortless strokeplay. So, bowlers around the world better beware.
On Sunday, Kohli broke
Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 20 ODI centuries on home soil and his unbeaten 166 was the 46th of his career in this format. During the course of his innings, he also went past Mahela Jayawardene to rise to fifth in ODI’s all-time run-scorers chart.
But much more than those numbers, it is the manner in which he is scoring the runs that will be giving the rival bowlers sleepless nights.
Kohli started showing signs of returning to form in the Asia Cup last year. His match-winning unbeaten 82 against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup was a classic and he translated the T20 form that he showed in the latter half of last year into ODIs.
The longer format also gives him time and space to pace his innings. After going century-less for more than three years, Kohli has now three tons in his last four ODI innings.
On Sunday, he looked in ominous touch the moment he arrived at the crease. He started with a cracking drive through the mid-off region off just the second ball he faced. From then on there was no looking back. He cut, drove, and pulled the hapless bowlers in all directions. At 34, Kohli is still the fittest member of this Indian team and that is helping him pinch singles and twos to supplement his brilliant stroke-making.
However, the biggest takeaway from Kohli’s innings was how he accelerated to perfection. His first 50 came off 48 balls and was laced with five fours. He increased his pace and reached the three-figure mark off 85 balls and it contained eight fours and a six. He pushed the pedal on the accelerator once he crossed 100 and by the time he walked back at the end of his innings, he had eight sixes and 13 fours in his 110-ball knock.
Kohli felt that it is his mindset that is helping him get those big knocks again.
"It is the by-product of the intent I have. My mindset is to help the team and put the team in a strong position. I have played for the right reasons and that has helped. Ever since I came back from the break, I am feeling good and I don’t have the desperation to get to a milestone. I want to continue doing that and I am content," Kohli said after the match.
Milestone man Virat Kohli leads India to record ODI win against Sri Lanka
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