India vs Australia 2019: Matthew Hayden in Awe of Virat Kohli’s Batting Belligerence

Mar 9, 2019 at 3:21 PM

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India vs Australia 2019: Matthew Hayden in Awe of Virat Kohli’s Batting Belligerence

Former Australia top-order batsman Matthew Hayden has heaped praised on Virat Kohli for his remarkable show in the contemporary cricket. The veteran opener maintained Kohli’s burgeoning run is a spectacle in itself. The 30-year-old Kohli has slammed 41st One-day International hundred of an ongoing India vs Australia 2019 ODI series at Ranchi. But hosts fell short of 32 runs in the third ODI on Friday (March 8).

However, he didn’t shy away from saying that he has no words to describe the magnanimous approach of Kohli towards the gentleman’s game. But despite Kohli’s sublime knock of 123 off 95 balls, Australia has opened their account. As of now,  the five-match ODI series ledger read as 2-1 in favour of Men in Blue.

Hayden stated it’s a great sign for the Men in Blue ahead of the ODI showpiece, starting on May 30 in England and Wales.

“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,” Hayden told Star Sports.

Kohli has made things easy:

India vs Australia 2019, Virat Kohli, Matthew Hayden
Kohli has done a remarkable job for the Men in Blue. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Hayden maintained Kohli has made his job easier by notching centuries one after another hundred. He has also recalled the way top-notch players including Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly have delivered during their respective tenure.

“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,” Hayden added.

In a bid to chase 314, Kohli’s innings was laced with 16 fours and a six. More often than not, Kohli has made batting look quite easy irrespective of the conditions.

Concurrently, the prolific run-scorer Kohli’s ability has no match. Hayden is impressed with the way batting giant has set the tempo by winning games for the Indian National Cricket Team.

Hayden added Kohli’s performance sets him apart.

“Not only that, just the way he is transcending every game seems to be a different performance,” Kohli.

Hayden, who is the part of commentary panel for an ongoing Australia’s Qantas tour to India, reiterated Kohli’s has backed his previous performance for continuing where he has let off.

Notably, Kohli consistency has left many baffled with his staggering run-scoring spree, particularly in the day-long format.

Hayden hails Kohli for Ranchi ton:

Matthew Hayden, India vs Australia 2019, Virat Kohli
Matthew Hayden speaks about Kohli’s consistency. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Interestingly, Kohli has registered back-to-back hundreds in Vizag and Ranchi respectively to eclipse his idol Sachin Tendulkar for the most ODI tons against Australia in home conditions.

“On a better wicket [Ranchi], 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,” Hayden said.

With Kohli slamming the third hundred of 2019, he has registered his eighth ton against Australia. He further slammed five hundreds during India vs Australia contest by surpassing Tendulkar’s record of four tons against Aussies.

Notably, leg-spinner Adam Zampa has got better of Kohli. To dissect the striking rate, Zampa has fared against Kohli which is exceptional in itself. In 11 innings, Zampa dismissed Kohli on five occasions as his bowling average read 30.2 while bowling at Kohli across formats.

With the wicket of Kohli, India was folded out for 281 in 48.2 overs.

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