Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has showered praise on Virat Kohli after India won the third ODI against South Africa by nine wickets at Vizag on Saturday. With this win, India clinched the three-match series by 2-1.
Kohli continued his rich form, scoring a fine knock of 65 runs off just 45 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes in the run chase of 271. The Indian veteran batter added 116 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal to take India over the line.
Kohli was awarded Player of the Series after he scored 302 runs in three matches at an average of 151 and a strike rate of 117.05.
During his knock, Kohli also smashed Corbin Bosch for a no-look six, which traveled 87 meters.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “That six off Bosch, whenever Bosch bowls it’s like badam halwa for Virat Kohli. He didn’t even look at the ball and it goes for a six. Likewise, Rohit Sharma when facing a short ball from Baartman, smashes him like a boatman. It looked like the ball would go to the boatman on the beaches of Vizag.”
In the post-match presentation, Kohli admitted he has doubted himself on a lot of occasions and Srikkanth praised the veteran batter for being strong mentally to achieve all the success.
“Kohli said in the post-match presentation that he was a bit confused the last two years. It shows even a great player and the best of players like him to go through mental trauma. If you see this entire series, he’s enjoying his game. He has gone back to the old Virat Kohli of the past, where he’s very passionate and aggressive but at the same time, very determined. He’s playing at a different level. Actually, he’s playing like a man possessed.”
The 1983 World Cup-winning player said he has never seen Virat Kohli bat this well in his glittering career.
“I’ve never seen Virat Kohli batting this well. He’s smashing sixes and fours at will. Yet, all with straight-batted shots. Likewise, Rohit also played smartly, while toying with the field. He played attacking cricket while playing intelligent cricket,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
India will next take on South Africa in a five-match T20I series against South Africa.
