Former Bengal and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper batter Shreevats Goswami slammed Virat Kohli's critics as the stylish batter smashed a century for Delhi during their first Vijay Hazare Trophy clash against Andhra at the BCCI CoE in Bengaluru.
During Delhi's first Vijay Hazare match against Andhra, Kohli, who came after a brilliant outing against South Africa in the three-match ODI series, scored a 101-ball 131, helping Delhi chase the target of 299 in just 37.4 overs.
Shreevats Goswami on Virat Kohli's ODI class
In 50-over cricket, Virat Kohli has impressively scored three centuries and two fifties in his last five matches, including two centuries and a fifty in the ODI series against South Africa. This batting patch came after he recorded two consecutive ducks in the three-match ODI series in Australia in October. Goswami took his 'X' to laud Virat's consistency and class, saying he defines ODI cricket.
"With 2 back to back ducks in Australia, people thought Virat Kohli was over but that's the class of this man. In last 5 fifty over games he's got 74*, 135 , 102, 65* & 131. You just cannot count him out. Have said this before will say it again. ODI cricket = Virat Kohli," Goswami said in his X post.
Delhi vs Andhra VHT clash
Coming back to the VHT clash between Delhi and Andhra, Delhi won the toss and elected to field first. A century from Ricky Bhui (122 in 105 balls, with 11 fours and seven sixes) took AP to 298/8 in 50 overs. Notably, the captain and India's emerging all-rounder, Nitish Kumar Reddy, scored 23 off 21 balls, including a four and a six. For Delhi, pacer Simarjeet Singh (5/54) and Prince Yadav (3/50) were among the pick of the bowlers for Delhi.
While Delhi lost Arpit Rana early, a 113-run stand between Priyansh Arya (74 in 44 balls, with seven fours and five sixes) and Virat put Delhi in a steady position. Nitish Rana (77 in 55 balls, with nine fours and two sixes) had a 160-run stand with Virat, which ended with Virat being dismissed for a 101-ball 131, with 14 fours and three sixes. Skipper Rishabh Pant (5) had a poor outing, but Delhi secured the win in 37.4 overs by four wickets.