Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has put his weight behind Virat Kohli to complete century of centuries after the ODI series against South Africa, which India won by 2-1. Kohli scored a fine knock of 102 runs off just 93 balls in the second ODI against the Proteas at Raipur.
The veteran batter has now scored 53 ODI centuries and this was his 84th International ton. Sachin Tendulkar holds the record of 100 International centuries and Kohli is now 16 centuries away from his idol.
Earlier on Sunday, Kohli had scored a match-winning knock of 135 runs off just 120 balls at Ranchi and played a key role in India’s 17-run win. Overall, Virat Kohli scored 302 runs in three ODIs against South Africa at an average of 151 and a strike rate of 117.05. Thus, he was awarded Player of the Series for his consistent performances.
Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports, via India Today, “Why not? Even if he plays for three more years, he needs 16 hundreds from here. The way he has been batting, he has scored two hundreds in a three-match series. Going forward, even if he scores two more against New Zealand in a three-match series, he will reach 87. So the chances of him getting to 100 are big, very good. The way he has been batting, he is enjoying himself.”“See, he has a month’s break before the New Zealand ODIs. It remains to be seen what happens to his form in these few days. If that break was not there, I am sure he would score two or three hundreds in the series.”
In the third ODI against South Africa, Kohli scored 65 runs off just 45 balls. Gavaskar highlighted that we have seldomly witnessed Virat Kohli’s aggressive approach in ODIs.
“The way he batted today (Saturday), knowing the match was almost in India’s pocket—he knew a good foundation had been laid by the openers and that batters in good form were to follow. So he enjoyed himself in the middle. Very rarely have we seen this version of Virat Kohli—the T20 avatar—in ODI cricket,” said Gavaskar (via the aforementioned source).
“He played his shots from the second ball, and not one of them was reckless. Can anyone tell me whether there was an inside-edge or an outside-edge in his innings?”
Kohli will be next seen in action in the ODI series against New Zealand.
