In the first ODI match against South Africa, Team India secured a win by 17 runs at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Jharkhand.
During the match, Team India stalwart Virat Kohli scored 135 runs in 120 deliveries. His knock was laced with five boundaries and three maximums.
Following his masterclass, his teammates and coach expressed their opinions.
The rising star batsman Tilak Varma was delighted to witness the glorious knock in person. The left-hander also said that he will keep learning from Kohli and try to implement those handy tips in the matches.
“We have seen one of the best knocks again. I am very happy that I have seen 100 of Virat bhai live,” he said in a video posted by the official website of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“Since the last 17 years, he has always been electrifying in the field, the batting, fielding, everything. He is absolutely top. I have learnt a lot, and it`s a pleasure to watch him live. I will keep talking to him and learn as much as I can. If I get an opportunity in the coming games, I can implement it in those games as well,” added Varma.
Star spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who started his career under the leadership of Kohli, said that the knock reminded him of the prime version of the 37-year-old cricketer.
“My career started with Virat bhai when he was the captain. The way he batted, I felt I had gone back 8-9 years, the way he was batting in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2016,” said the spinner.
Further, Kuldeep also said that Kohli helps him with his bowling tactics, and he feels good to be around such senior players.
“It was a very good innings, and he looked very confident. Whatever his shot selection was, the ball was coming nicely off the bat. It feels good to be with him. You get to learn a lot. Even in bowling, you get inputs as to what you can do. It feels good to be with the seniors. There is energy and intensity in the team. As you have seen in the field, we are very lucky with it,” said Kuldeep.
The second ODI match between Team India and South Africa is scheduled to be played on December 3 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Raipur.
(With ANI Inputs)
