Virat Kohli (AFP Photo)
The star batter scored 74 runs off 51 balls to help India win the match by five wickets (DLS) and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Kohli has scored 6,477 runs in 108 innings in successful ODI chases. His average is 89.95 and his strike rate is over 98. He has scored 25 centuries and 30 half-centuries, with 183 being his highest score.
His record is even better when India win while chasing. NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli made batting look easy in India’s first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland on Wednesday.
“A 70 in conditions like these is worth a hundred. When the youngsters in the dressing room watch him and how he still gets angry at getting out at 38, they’ll understand they have work to do,” Ravi Shastri said on Sony Sports. Sachin had scored 8,720 runs in 242 innings while batting second in ODIs. His record included 17 centuries and 52 half-centuries at an average of 42.33. Kohli has now scored 8,741 runs in 169 innings in ODI chases. He has done so at an average of 66.21 and a strike rate of 95.03. His tally includes 30 centuries and 46 half-centuries.
Because of the conditions in which it was played, he said the 74-run innings was as valuable as a century.
Kohli’s ability to take quick singles kept the New Zealand bowlers under pressure, according to him. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri was full of praise for Kohli. He never got ahead of himself throughout the innings. And when he stays in fourth gear like this, then God help you. Shastri also spoke about the support Kohli gave captain Shubman Gill during the chase. Kohli’s innings also helped him break another major record. He went past Sachin Tendulkar to become the highest run-scorer in ODI run chases.