Former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja has showered praise on Virat Kohli after the talisman scored a fine knock of 63 runs off just 48 balls in the third T20I against Australia. Jadeja said Virat Kohli understands the pace of the game and he is one of the best chase masters in the world.
Kohli is well known for pacing his innings in the limited overs format and always plays according to the match situation when he is batting in the second innings. India has won most often than not when Kohli has remained unbeaten at the crease while chasing a score.
The talisman added a fine alliance of 104 runs off just 62 balls with Suryakumar Yadav to help India get close to the target of 187 runs. Kohli has returned back to form in the recent past and it is a big positive for the team ahead of the T20 World Cup. The linchpin had also scored 276 runs in five matches of the Asia Cup at an average of 92 and a strike rate of 147.59.
“I mean that’s the key to Indian cricket. I mean it’s been that for a while, for a long time. I mean there was a period where Virat Kohli would score runs and if there was anything, MS Dhoni would finish it off at the end,” said Jadeja on Cricbuzz.
“But now with the personnel changing around Virat Kohli, it’s made it easier for him and it’s made it easier for everyone else around him to play at a whole different ball game and the solidity that Virat Kohli provides, and for me, it’s always been the solidity of Virat Kohli, not the striking ability. That’s why he was a chase master. He is a chase master. He understands the pace of the game.”
Jadeja went on to add that no Indian batter has the same consistency of Virat Kohli as he has been delivering for the team.
“He may not have the striking ability that a lot of players have around the world and in that Indian team but there is no one else that I know who has the consistency of Virat Kohli,” added Jadeja.
“So if consistency is what you want, this is your man and he’s not shown it today, he’s been showing it to you for 10, 12, 15 years. It’s just that when you expect him to do what the others do, that’s when the trouble begins.”
Kohli will be seen in action in the T20I series against South Africa.
