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India veteran spinner Kuldeep Yadav lavished praise on Virat Kohli after the run-machine smashed 135 runs against South Africa in the first ODI at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi. Kuldeep, who made his international debut under Kohli, opined that the former captain is still batting the way he used to between 2016 and 2019.
Kuldeep Yadav on Virat Kohli's knock
Kohli, who got out on two ducks in the first two ODIs against South Africa, composed fifty and was quick to convert it into a ton as he took on the opposition bowlers with flair and style. However, the batting great couldn’t remain unbeaten at the end of the innings; his fireworks proved sufficient for India’s win, and he bagged the Player of the Match award.
Speaking to bcci.tv, Kuldeep praised Kohli for his confident knock, saying, “My career started with Virat Bhai when he was the captain. The way he batted, I felt I had gone back 8-9 years, the way he was batting in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2016 even. It was a very good innings and he looked very confident. Whatever his shot selection was, the ball was coming nicely off the bat.”
Kuldeep on the senior's importance in team
Kuldeep, who was the pick of the bowlers in the 1st ODI with four scalps, stated that Kohli and the seniors on the side provide valuable insights to the bowlers and share inputs on how the pacers and spinners can improve their games.
“It feels good being around him. You get to learn a lot. You always get inputs. Even in bowling, you get inputs as to what you can do. It feels good to be with the seniors. There is energy and intensity in the team, as you have seen in the field. We are very lucky with it.”
Team India took 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series after registering a 17-run win in the series opener. India will now host South Africa at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Wednesday for the second ODI.
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