Former Indian keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik showered praise on Virat Kohli, who top-scored with 74 off 51 at a strike rate of 145.1 in the first ODI of the five-game series against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4.
Speaking on his Instagram handle, Karthik was awestruck by Kohli’s aggressive approach and intent, adding that the talismanic batter changed his gameplay according to the modern-day’s cricketing demands.
“This new version of Kohli is wow. Up until 2023, he used to hit a six once every 173 deliveries. From October 2023 to about the Australian tour, it used to be 133 deliveries. But guess what? From then on, he is hitting a six every 25 deliveries. He, in fact, told us that he wants to make a change and make sure that he changes his intent and plays high-octane cricket. But I don’t think anybody saw this coming. This kind of manic change and making batting look so easy on tough pitches,” Karthik said on his Instagram handle.
Furthermore, Karthik lauded Kohli for his energy, attitude and enthusiasm on the field. He also highlighted Kohli’s outstanding fielding effort, in which he dived to his right and took a spectacular one-handed catch at second slip off Anshul Kamboj’s bowling to dismiss Nathan Smith.
“Did you see the catch that he took at second slip? Many 19-year-olds would be proud of that. For a man to have that kind of energy, attitude, and to have this insatiable hunger more than everything else, just the way of batting is unbelievable. There is no end to how well he wants to do for India,” he added.
The action now shifts to the second ODI of the five-game series at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, November 7.
