Australian cricketer Ashton Agar commented on Virat Kohli’s unique skill in One Day International (ODI) cricket. According to Agar, speaking on a cricket program, Kohli excels at rotating the strike, which prevents bowlers from applying consistent pressure.
Agar elaborated that Kohli’s proficiency in maneuvering the field and finding gaps alleviates pressure from his end. This, combined with the aggressive hitting of his teammates, makes it exceedingly challenging for opposing teams to defend any score against India. Agar described Kohli’s recent innings as a ‘masterclass’, emphasizing that bowlers rarely feel dominant against a batter of Kohli’s caliber.
“The irritating aspect of bowling to him,” Agar stated, “isn’t necessarily his boundary hitting, but his ability to negate pressure. It’s genuinely difficult to dismiss him, as you seldom feel in control unless the pitch heavily favors spin, which is uncommon in ODI cricket.”
Agar also praised the supportive batting around Kohli, noting how other Indian batsmen maintained the scoring momentum, allowing Kohli to play his natural game, secure boundaries, and keep the scoreboard ticking. Agar referenced a statistic highlighting Kohli’s record-breaking number of singles since 2000, underscoring the masterful and collaborative nature of India’s batting performance.
During a recent innings where Kohli scored 84 runs, 64 of these came from singles and doubles, gradually shifting the game’s momentum away from Australia. Despite past dismissals against leg-spinners, Kohli effectively countered Tanveer Sangha and Adam Zampa, scoring 35 runs off 33 balls against them before finally being dismissed by Zampa. Cricket analyst Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out Kohli’s effective use of back-foot play during this innings.
Manjrekar added, “With current fielding restrictions allowing five fielders inside the circle, unlike the older rule of four, rotating strike is crucial. Kohli’s exceptional skill in finding gaps means he rarely hits directly to a fielder without scoring.”
Manjrekar believes Kohli has overcome his previous struggles against spin, where rotating the strike was challenging. He affirmed that Kohli’s current form showcases improved footwork, late back-foot play, and consistent gap-finding ability, making him the best at it on the day.
Former Indian captain Anil Kumble expressed his continued admiration for Kohli’s knack for making challenging run chases appear straightforward. “He seldom errs,” Kumble observed. “He maintains complete control, particularly in run chases. In a chase around 265, he was entirely in command, with only one risky moment against Maxwell. This consistent control is evident in every run chase he undertakes.”
Kohli’s recent half-century marked his third in Champions Trophy semi-finals and fifth in all ICC knockout matches. He is now just one half-century away from equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of six fifty-plus scores in ICC knockout games. Furthermore, India is on the verge of securing their second consecutive ICC title.
