Gautam Gambhir Praises Virat Kohli’s Match-Defining Knock: ‘On 70-Odd With Only 5 Boundaries…’

In the Cricket World Cup 2023 opening match, Virat Kohli showcased his brilliance as India defeated Australia. Kohli’s mastery of the 50-over format was on full display as he anchored India’s chase with precision, especially after early dismissals of Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer. Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir was effusive in his praise for Kohli’s approach.

Gambhir emphasized the importance of reading the game and handling pressure when chasing big targets. He lauded Kohli’s ability to absorb pressure and maintain self-belief, highlighting that in one-day cricket, it’s not just about hitting boundaries but also about running between the wickets and rotating the strike effectively.

Virat Kohli 85(115) vs Australia World Cup 2023 ball by ball highlights pic.twitter.com/7YULSlG0nf

— Abhinav (@TotalKohli) October 9, 2023

Virat Kohli scored 85 runs off 116 balls, with just six boundaries during his innings. Gambhir was particularly impressed by Kohli’s low-risk approach and fitness, allowing him to continually accumulate singles and doubles during the chase. He emphasized the significance of Kohli’s ability to play spin and rotate the strike efficiently.

Gambhir believes that young cricketers have much to learn from Kohli, especially in this format of the game, where the ability to absorb pressure and rotate the strike is vital. He stressed that while hitting boundaries is important, understanding the nuances of building an innings and maintaining composure under pressure is equally crucial. Kohli’s consistent performance in such situations sets an example for the upcoming generation of cricketers.