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I am in awe of this phenomenon called Virat Kohli. Watching him construct that splendid match-winning innings against Pakistan at the Eden I could well understand why he is the darling of the cricketing world. He creates an aura of a master who can transcend boundaries at will. His power to conquer is such. He is bound to grow into a performer whose benchmarks would be near-impossible to match.
His walk to the crease, the twirling of the bat before settling into his stance to face the ball, the gleam in his eye as he follows the arc of the delivery and then picks the gap with feline alacrity is unparalleled. I can’t leave my seat for a moment when this lad is on strike because he can make things happen. Just the way a certain Viv Richards would in a different era.
The more I see of Virat the more I am convinced that he is one step ahead of some of the greats like Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting. Let there be a debate, but I am clear in my opinion that Virat, despite achievers like Joe Root and Kane Williamson, is the best in business in contemporary cricket in all three formats of the game. He will grow into the best of all time because of his awesome potential to adapt without fuss.
Virat adapts to pressure swiftly and beautifully. There is no nervousness in him when most would wilt under pressure. The calmness that epitomises his batting comes from the confidence that he builds from the dressing room. I have never seen him being hustled into a false first-ball stroke. He can be supremely composed and then ruthlessly punishing, all in a flash, leaving the opposition flummoxed. He is one batsman who understands the need of the hour and steps up his cricket after instantly gauging the situation.
His aggression in Tests is in sync with the urgency that marks his approach in T20. Virat, with his attacking instincts, has proved to be the best man to counter the Australians, who are known to play the hard way. He can look them in the eye and make his statement in a forceful manner. That sets him apart. He is a modern great who bats on his terms. His longevity in the game is assured and his ability to serve the game unblemished.
Virat Kohli flexes his muscles, in Bangalore, on Tuesday
I marvel at his range of shots. Let us study his cover drive which wears pristine proportions. He reaches the ball with a rare sense of timing that is the hallmark of a man in form.
He is always in form actually. Sachin used to have a full follow-through against the slower bowlers and strike the ball with little follow-through when the ball was genuinely quick. Virat is different. His head remains still and the arms do the job, the elbow firmly pointing to the bowler. Even the flick that he generates to the midwicket can take your breath away. I have not seen anyone play the flick with such dominance with the exception of VVS Laxman, who could swat the short ball with minimum effort.
To me the outstanding feature of Virat’s batting is his use of the crease. He is the lord of the crease and that gives him the freedom to always look for runs. This quality transfers the pressure to the bowlers because he tends to defy the field with ridiculous ease. His mindset does not allow Virat to play a dot ball, forget someone bowling a maiden over to him. I am sure at the end of this T20 World Cup he would stand tall as the batsman to have played the least number of dot balls.
Bangladesh have their task cut out when they meet India in Bangalore. I feel sorry for them for having lost two bowlers to suspect action. It can upset any team’s plans and it does hit Bangladesh hard because they have the ability to surprise even the champions.
I have been following Bangladesh’s progress closely in recent times and feel the team can improve with experience. It is the only aspect their cricket lacks. With more experience, I am sure Bangladesh would become a force among the elite of the cricketing world but I must confess I expected much more from Bangladesh in this tournament.
They have been troubling the teams but not been able to capitalise on the openings. Bangladesh are a dangerous team no doubt and India can take them lightly only at their peril.
Pitch Solution R
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