Former India batsman VVS Laxman was in awe of the innings that India skipper Virat Kohli played against England in the 3rd T20I on Tuesday and said that the unbeaten 77-run knock was a great learning for any young batsman on how to pace an innings.
Kohli walked into bat with the side reeling at 20 for two. Initially, he took his time as wickets continued to fall at the other end. But once he got settled, he took charge and played some magnificent shots to put the hosts back on track.
“At one point it felt if India can score even 140 or not because so many wickets had fallen. But once again Virat Kohli deserves all the praise. The chase master showed his magic in the last match (Sunday) but today (Tuesday) the way he first absorbed the pressure and then built the innings, it was amazing batting and a learning for any young batsman on how you show your magic under pressure and the way to pace your innings,” Laxman said on Star Sports Network.
Having scored 28 from his first 29 balls he displayed his full range of classy stroke-making to harvest another 49 from the next 17.
“Three wickets had fallen and he knew there was desperate need of a partnership, so first with Rishabh Pant and then with Hardik Pandya. I liked the way he used the crease, he knew where the gaps are and played shots in those directions, not only fours but we also saw sixes raining,” added Laxman.
Kohli added 40 runs with Rishabh Pant for the fourth wicket, and then 70 runs with Hardik Pandya for the sixth wicket. He was the top-scorer for India with his unbeaten 46-ball 77 run knock.
“The way he understood the situation, first played the grounded shots and then as the innings progressed we could see the change in the strike rate, we could see the aerial shots and not only in one or two directions, he hit boundaries and sixes around the ground and it was great to see that.
“The aggressive intent that was seen in the last few overs, that too against Mark Wood who was in good rhythm and then against Archer and Jordan, everyone would have enjoyed seeing that,” Laxman further said.
