No hurdle too high for Kohli

Published>Fri, Oct 22 10 04:07 PM

Earlier this year in June, when Virat Kohli scored a 68 against Sri Lanka during the tri-series in Zimbabwe, he made history. Playing his 27th ODI, the 21-year-old reached 1000 runs. No Indian batsmen had reached the first big four-digit milestone so early in their career.

But the high was followed by a slump as Kohli had not one half-century in the next seven games. Suddenly the boy, who had made himself comfortable in the senior side within months of leading India to the under-19 World Cup, was dealing with his first big crisis of his young career. Even Kohli said that he was under immense pressure. "I am struggling to get runs. I had not scored too many runs in last six-seven matches. I was not hitting in the gaps," Kohli said before the second ODI against Australia.

But his match-winning knock of 118 during the run-chase on Wednesday meant the dark clouds had been cleared and once again Kohli was being seen as Indian cricket's 'next big thing'. Though critics have questioned Kohli's attitude when he has not been among runs, those who have followed his career closely have never doubted the potential of the aggressive young batsman.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra and Kohli's senior in the Delhi Ranji side believes that the youngster has it him to be an India regular. Chopra believes that Kohli's desire to do well at international level is so intense that it is tough to keep him out of the national team for long.

"He is more mature now and has understood his responsibility. Kohli has realised that if he is batting at No.3 then his chances of getting a big score is high. And for that he needs to be less reckless and more precise in his stroke selection," points Chopra.

Kohli's tendency to take the challenges head on makes him an exciting prospect for Indian cricket. Tough and demanding situations, like batting at No. 3 or leading an uphill chase, bring out the best in the batsman.

Praveen Amre, who was coach of the emerging team when Kohli caught the eye of national selectors, has seen this trait in the right-hander. "Once I asked him if he was willing to open, and he said yes without blinking an eye. Most middle-order batsmen are reluctant. He not only agreed but also slammed a hundred and we won the title in Australia. Even during training, he runs hard. You throw him a challenge and he will be ready for it," Amre said.

However, Chopra feels that the youngster's technique will be tested only once he plays abroad. "I will call him a fully matured cricketer once he starts doing better abroad," Chopra adds. Maybe, India's tour to South Africa later this year could provide that test for Kohli.

Source: Web Search