Team India’s middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer praised Virat Kohli after the team’s victory over New Zealand in the first ODI of the three-match series. After the Shubman Gill-led team’s four-wicket win, Shreyas said that it is difficult to add anything new about Virat due to his consistently good performances.
Virat Kohli scored 93 runs while chasing the target of 301 runs in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11. He made a strong partnership of 118 runs with captain Shubman Gill and later added 77 runs with Iyer. The 37-year-old looked to be on his way to his 54th ODI century but missed a shot and was caught by Michael Bracewell.
Virat Kohli created history
Virat Kohli needed 25 runs to complete 28,000 international runs and he achieved it in the 13th over of India’s chase. He became the fastest cricketer to reach the milestone in 624 innings, which is 20 innings less than Sachin Tendulkar, who previously held the record.
Kohli became only the third player in history to cross 28,000 international runs. Tendulkar had reached this milestone in 644 innings, while Kumar Sangakkara took 666 innings.
Later in the innings, when Kohli reached 42, he moved into second place on the all-time list of international run-scorers, surpassing Sangakkara’s 28,016 runs. Sangakkara scored 28,016 runs in 666 innings at an average of 46.77, which included 153 half-centuries and 63 centuries.
Tendulkar continues to top the list with 34,357 international runs. During his international career from 1989 to 2013, he scored 782 innings at an average of 48.52, including 164 fifties and a record 100 centuries.
Whatever we talk about his innings – Shreyas Iyer on Virat Kohli
In a video shared by BCCI, Shreyas Iyer said that it is difficult to describe the impact of Virat Kohli because he has been doing it for so many years. Iyer said Kohli’s consistency, strike rotation and ability to take on the bowlers stands out, adding that he really backs up his words with actions.
“No matter how much we talk about his innings, it will be an understatement,” Iyer said in a video shared by BCCI. “We have been watching it for many years. He has been doing it consistently. The way he rotates the strike, the way he attacks the bowler – he basically gets the ball rolling.”
“It was a great start to the series,” Iyer said. “It feels special to be back after a while. I missed being in the dressing room and sharing the moment with everyone. I’m very happy to be back.”
After recovering from the spleen injury suffered during the Australia tour last year, Iyer made a strong comeback in his comeback match. The newly appointed vice-captain scored 49 runs off 47 balls and played a key role in rebuilding the innings.
He is on a different level – Kyle Jamieson on Virat Kohli
In the match, New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson dismissed Virat Kohli. Jamieson took 4 wickets for 41 runs, but admitted after the game that Kohli had already turned the match in India’s favour. Jamieson said that Kohli controlled the middle overs.
“He controlled the pace in the middle and opened the innings for his team,” Jamieson said. “You don’t really have great people involved – they have their own way.”
“He’s on a different level. Every time you play against him, you have to be at your best to compete.”
Also read: Virat Kohli overtakes Rohit Sharma to become world number 1 ODI batsman ranking