"He relishes pressure and does not want easy runs" - Sunil Gavaskar on Virat Kohli

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar lauded experienced Indian batter Virat Kohli for doing well with the bat when the side was under pressure against Australia in their first match of the 2023 World Cup in Chennai on Sunday, October 8. While chasing 200 on a tough Chennai pitch, Kohli came to bat after Team India lost a wicket in the first over of the innings. The hosts then slipped to 2/3 before Kohli scored a stunning 85 off 116 deliveries as well.

He further added a match-winning partnership of 165 with the veteran wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul to help India register a comfortable six-wicket victory. While speaking to India Today, Gavaskar added Kohli’s knack for scoring runs under pressure is praiseworthy.

“He relishes pressure and does not want easy runs. When you’re under pressure, all your runs are valuable. So relishing the pressure is one of the most important aspects. There’s no batter who doesn’t need a bit of luck at the start of the innings. But once that luck comes your way, you’ve got to cash in on it and he is very good at it. I’m actually surprised that he got out at 85 because if there’s one batter who knows how to get a hundred, it’s Kohli,” he further added.

The veteran also felt India’s recovery from a struggling situation to emerge victorious was a statement for the other teams in the World Cup.

“What India has shown is that they can recover even with backs on their wall. The fightback that we saw was the most impressive. It was a total all-rounder performance, a very good performance by India. The confidence level will go up. So other teams will have to watch out,” Gavaskar further stated.

However, India had a poor start to their run-chase, with Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Shreyas Iyer registering ducks as well. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli’s 85 and Rahul’s 97* guided Team India to an emphatic victory. Notably, Ravindra Jadeja stepped up with the ball with 3/28 in his ten overs, while Kuldeep Yadav finished with 2/42 as well.

“Way he’s batting right now really augers well for India” – Sunil Gavaskar on KL Rahul

However, KL Rahul won the Player of the Match for his match-winning 97* against Australia as well. And, Sunil Gavaskar felt KL Rahul coming in at No.5 and steadying the ship to form a match-winning partnership with Virat Kohli is amazing as well.

“Virat’s experience was needed and we must not forget Rahul’s innings as well. Rahul scored 97 not out and did not put a foot wrong. Kohli had a bit of luck when that easy catch was dropped. So good to see the way he is playing. We’ve all known the ability and talent that he has. The way he’s batting right now really augers well for India for the rest of the tournament. You have someone coming in at number 5 who can hold the innings together,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma’s team will next face Afghanistan in Delhi on Wednesday, October 11, while Australia play against South Africa in Lucknow on October 12.