Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth praised Virat Kohli’s knock 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 and also completed 13000 runs while batting at one down in the 50-over format.
Srikkanth said every batter struggled to get going on a difficult pitch but Kohli showed his class by batting at the top of his game.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “Everyone from both teams was dancing on that wicket, and here he is playing effortlessly. They gave him nothing outside the off-stump and tried to pepper him with short deliveries. But he pulled them so easily and was in total control. He was just toying with the bowlers.”
The former Indian selector also praised Anshul Kamboj, who returned with impressive figures of 2-22 in his 10 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar scalped four and three wickets respectively.
“Kamboj made an excellent comeback. And it’s also great for CSK because if he develops into a good opening bowler, it’s very useful. His pace is a bit low, but he’ll evolve in that once he gains confidence. To make New Zealand jump in their own conditions was a brilliant job by all the Indian bowlers,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at the Hnry Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday.
