Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has praised Virat Kohli following his impressive batting display in the first ODI against New Zealand, describing him as the greatest cricketer of all time in limited-overs cricket. Kohli's outstanding performance once again demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure, even when conditions were difficult for batting.
Kohli scored 74 runs from just 51 deliveries, providing India with valuable runs during a challenging phase of the innings. The pitch offered considerable assistance to New Zealand's fast bowlers, making it difficult for several Indian batters to settle at the crease. However, Kohli appeared comfortable against the pace attack and played with confidence throughout his innings.
Impressed by the quality of the knock, Shastri rated it among Kohli's finest performances in recent years. Speaking to Sony Sports, the former India coach said he had rarely witnessed Kohli bat with such authority on a surface that offered significant help to fast bowlers.
Shastri Praises Kohli's Exceptional Batting
Shastri highlighted the difficulty of maintaining composure and playing confidently when the pitch consistently assists the opposition's fast bowlers. According to him, Kohli's performance stood out from the other batting efforts, with the former India captain demonstrating remarkable control and technical ability.
He also referred to Kohli's impressive limited-overs career statistics, including his run-scoring record, scoring rate, centuries and contributions to successful run chases. These achievements, Shastri suggested, underline why Kohli deserves recognition as one of the greatest batters in the history of limited-overs cricket.
The former coach's assessment reflects the consistency and quality Kohli has maintained across different playing conditions and challenging match situations.
Ravi Shastri Wants Virat Kohli to Continue Playing Test Cricket
Apart from appreciating Kohli's ODI performance, Shastri also expressed confidence in his ability to continue playing Test cricket for India. He pointed to Kohli's exceptional fitness and suggested that the batter still possesses the physical capabilities required to compete at the highest level in the longest format.
Shastri indicated that several international cricketers and leading players would also like to see Kohli continue representing India in Test matches.
According to the former India head coach, Kohli's fitness and ability remain strong enough for him to contribute meaningfully to Indian cricket in the red-ball format.
Shastri's comments highlight his continued confidence in Kohli's abilities across formats. While his latest ODI innings has attracted considerable appreciation, the former coach also believes the experienced batter has more to offer in Test cricket.
