‘Game’s best chaser’ – Kohli hailed after more ODI heroics

One of his top batsmen, Steve Smith, was quick to praise one of his great batsmen.

Virat Kohli may not have led his team to the title match, but the Indian legend once more oversaw a run-chase to make it to the Champions Trophy final against Australia in Dubai.

Smith later claimed that “he’s arguably the best chaser the game has seen.”

Simply put, yes.

In one-day international run-chases, Kohli averages 64.50, almost eight runs more than South Africa batter AB de Villiers, who is currently second.

In chases, he also scored 28 of his franchise’s 51 ODI centuries, which is 11 more than Sachin Tendulkar’s previous India total of 28.

Unsurprisingly, Kohli’s average improves even more as India completes its series. He averages a massive 89.50.

Kohli is uncanny at putting pressure on himself and accumulating runs.

After Tuesday’s knock, he said, “This game is all about pressure, especially big games like semis and finals, and if you go deep enough into the innings and have enough wickets in hand, the game becomes easier.”

The ability to rotate the strike is Kohli’s greatest asset.

He has the most singles in ODI history and appears to be able to disprove his opponent’s attempt to create pressure.

Kohli would rank third on England’s all-time ODI run-scoring list if you only factor in the singles he has scored in his 50 international appearances (5, 870).

The 36-year-old said, “It’s very important to control your impulses while the game is happening.

Knowing the number of runs left and the overs left is what matters to me.

You know that two set batters can turn things around and the opposition can only win the game with wickets, so I’m not bothered as long as it comes to six or seven overs.

He was to be replaced by a fifth-stump line in recent Tests, which has proven successful. Many teams, including England, have this plan.

However, Kohli averages more than 50 against balls in “the channel” outside off stump in ODIs following the new-ball phase in comparison to white-ball.

With a dot-ball percentage of just 33%, Kohli was typically effective when rotating the strike in India.

When the Black Caps were chasing 250 points to defeat India at the same venue on Sunday, New Zealand batter Kane Williamson’s figure was 57.5%.

Kohli maintained the momentum throughout the entire match.

He also entered the match on a challenging run against leg-spin, and specifically against Adam Zampa, Australia’s biggest threat, who had previously dismissed him five times in ODIs.

Zampa eventually scored that six, but not before Kohli’s victory-seeking India.

He faced 24 balls from Australia’s off-spinner, and 14 of those balls were singles or dot balls.

Kohli sat on and pulled for four of the two shortest deliveries he had received from Zampa, which he only had two more.

The only surprise was, ultimately, that he did not manage to make three figures.

Kohli continued, “When you don’t think of the milestones, they just happen along the way to victory.”

For me, it’s all about embracing the victory and doing what is right for the team, and if I can get to the three-figure mark, great, but nights like these will lead to happy dressing.