Gavaskar Breaks Down Virat Kohli’s Masterclass, Highlights Calculated Approach vs South Africa
Legendary batter lauds Kohli’s calculated approach, exceptional running between wickets, and partnership with Rohit Sharma in Ranchi century stand.
India, Dec 01 : Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has hailed Virat Kohli’s disciplined and calculated batting after the former India captain scored a match winning century against South Africa in the first ODI at Ranchi.
Kohli struck a brilliant 135 off 120 balls, marking his 52nd ODI century, and helped India secure a 17-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Gavaskar emphasized that Kohli’s success stems from his deep understanding of his own game.
“He is the type of batter who can’t go bang bang straight away. Some batters can, but Kohli knows his game inside out. His strength lies in striking the ball through the covers, playing the straight drive, and the flick. That’s the safest way to bat, especially when the pitch may keep low or the ball may move around,” Gavaskar said on JioStar.
He also highlighted Kohli’s exceptional running between the wickets, noting that singles form the lifeblood of a consistent innings. “Even if the crowd wants quicker scoring, he bats as the team needs,” Gavaskar added.
Kohli shared a 136-run stand with Rohit Sharma, who scored 57, marking the 20th century-plus partnership between the two. Former South African pacer Dale Steyn praised Rohit’s innings, highlighting his powerful sixes and sharp shot selection, while acknowledging Kohli’s tactical brilliance throughout the match.
Notably, Kohli and Rohit, playing their 306th and 277th ODIs respectively, surpassed Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid’s record by appearing together in 392 international matches across formats.
