Former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja has praised Virat Kohli for batting with freedom in the series opener against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland on Wednesday. The visitors registered a comprehensive five-wicket win to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Chasing a DLS target of 143 runs, Kohli scored more than half of the runs in the run-chase, scoring 74 runs off just 51 balls. The pitch had extra bounce and seam movement for the pacers but Kohli batted at the top of his game to score 13 fours and a six.
Kohli completed his 80th ODI fifty off just 35 balls as he was the standout batter. The veteran also became the first batter to amass 13000 ODI runs while batting at one drop.
“Exceptional, we have seen Virat Kohli over the years, and it’s not like we are seeing him score runs for the first time. However, you felt that he was feeling that he used to carry the entire team on his shoulders, but now these people are managing without him, so he can play freely,” Ajay Jadeja said on SonyLiv.
Jadeja added that Kohli has confidence in other batters and thus he is batting aggressively.
“He expressed himself. Many times, a senior player does what the team needs and bats till the end. However, now he also has confidence in the other players. So, it was a special knock, not that the match situation was difficult, but he entertained the fans who came to watch him in Auckland,” he added.
On the other hand, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar said Virat Kohli played his shots according to the field, which was set by New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner.
“When there was no fielder in the deep, he played it in the air. So there was no risk. When there was a fielder in the deep, he played along the ground. He knew where the fielder was, and that’s extremely important. You have to hit the ball far from the fielder,” he replied.
The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at the Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Saturday.
