The former Indian Cricket team legend, Ashwin, speaks about Virat Kohli on his YouTube channel after Virat Kohli helped India chase down a target of 301 runs in the first ODI against the New Zealand team, which was played on 11th January at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi in Vadodara. Basically, India won the match by four wickets with one over to spare and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
New Zealand were batting first as they had a great start. Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls added 117 for the first wicket as both players scored half-centuries. Daryl Mitchell was the highest scorer for New Zealand in the team as they scored 84 runs in 71 runs. At one moment, they looked a bit struggling, but in the end, they added 300 runs on the board. India had to score 301 runs to win the first ODI.
Also check out: Sarfaraz Khan scores fastest 50 in Vjay Hazare Trophy: Smashes Abhishek Sharma for 30 runs in one over
Ashwin speaks about Virat Kohli, “It seems like he is playing with the attitude…”
Rohit Sharma started with his intent but did not convert it into a big score. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli added 118 for the second wicket as Gill got a fifty. He needed it. Virat Kohli scored 93 runs as he missed out on another century. Shreyas Iyer was also back in the team and scored 49 runs. Harshit Rana had some big hits, and as he scored quickly. KL Rahul finished the innings in style as India won the match by four wickets and one over to spare. India leads the series 1-0.
R Ashwin had his say on both Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. He feels that there is nothing apart from cricket going on in Virat Kohli’s head at this moment. Ashwin also feels that this is what Virat Kohli is doing from day one and he is still doing it as nothing has changed. He also feels that Virat made a decision that he wants to enjoy the game, and he is doing it, and this is what brings out the best in him.
It looks like nothing is going on in his mind. You asked me what he has changed-he hasn’t changed anything; he is just not thinking about anything. He made a decision that he just wants to enjoy his cricket. It seems like he is playing with the attitude of batting in his childhood, combined with the experience of so many years
We know that Shreyas has been Mr. Consistent for India in ODI cricket. His dismissal was very unlike Shreyas; he never leaves the game like this-he generally finishes it. But it is very understandable; he is making a comeback, and that was a good ball by Jamieson
He also applauded Shreyas Iyer’s comeback and called him Mr Consistent for the Indian cricket team in the white-ball format, and there is nothing to disagree about it. Ashwin also spoke about Shreyas Iyer always finishing the inning, as he was just making a comeback, it is very understandable. Shreyas Iyer was bowled by Kyle Jamieson, and Ashwin also applauded his delivery.