Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden said he was lost for words after Virat Kohli notched up his 41st ODI hundred in Ranchi on Friday. Despite the India captain’s 95-ball 123, India lost the third ODI to Australia by 32 runs.
Hayden, a prolific scorer for Australia, said Virat Kohli’s ability to hit hundreds at will is “absolutely staggering” and the tempo with which he gets those runs is “incredible”.
Hayden’s comments come after Kohli smashed his 41st ODI hundred at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium in Ranchi. Kohli’s 123 was also his second successive hundred in the ongoing five-match series, which India are leading 2-1. Kohli smashed 16 boundaries and a six before he lost his wicket to Adam Zampa in the 38th over of the run chase.
“Absolutely staggering. I am trying to think back, check the memory banks of brilliant players over the years. Maybe Brian Lara in his heyday, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly all these players have been on top of their game at various points in one-day cricket. But Virat Kohli is doing it so easy. He is drifting away to a hundred. Not only that, just the way he is transcending every game seems to be a different performance,” Hayden told Star Sports after Australia’s win on Friday.
The Australia great added: “Tonight, on a better wicket, he made it look so easy. He does play out of his skin. It was outstanding, no area was untouched. We all know, he loves playing through the mid-wicket area but tonight he played some cut shots and took on the spinners. It was just a remarkable innings, can’t say anything more than that.
“I think he has always got the great energy and the intent and he’s got the fitness to be able to do it. It’s almost like one performance leads to the next. His tempo is incredible. We saw the likes of Vijay that had an opportunity to bat with him. That’s only going to be good for India ahead of the World Cup.”
Following Virat Kohli’s dismissal, India struggled for momentum and were eventually bowled out for 281 in 48.2 overs.
