Synopsis
Virat Kohli's remarkable 84 led India to a four-wicket victory, prompting Michael Clarke to call him the greatest ODI cricketer ever. Kohli's partnership with Shreyas Iyer was crucial in overcoming early wickets, showcasing their complementary styles in a tense match.Key Takeaways
- Virat Kohli's performance was pivotal in India's win.
- Michael Clarke considers Kohli the greatest ODI cricketer.
- Shreyas Iyer provided crucial support during a challenging match.
- The partnership between Kohli and Iyer was match-winning.
- Kohli's experience under pressure continues to shine.
New Delhi, March 4 (NationPress) With the 'chase master' Virat Kohli once again leading India to a remarkable victory with his valiant 84, securing a comfortable four-wicket win under challenging conditions in Dubai, Australian legend Michael Clarke praised his exceptional performance and declared him the greatest ODI cricketer in history.
Kohli stepped onto the field facing the highest chase ever against Australia in ICC knockouts, and he expertly brought his team closer to victory through impressive stroke play and smart strike rotation, finishing with just five boundaries, demonstrating his skill in finding runs on a tough pitch.
“He assessed the conditions superbly once again. A class act, he understood exactly what his team required and how to position them for victory. We witnessed this previously with his century against Pakistan. Virat possesses every shot imaginable—there's no debate about his capability to hit boundaries. In my view, he is the greatest one-day cricketer ever, continually proving it on the grandest stages under immense pressure. He knows how to perform when it matters,” stated Clarke to Jio Hotstar.
Nonetheless, Kohli’s innings might have fallen short without support from Shreyas Iyer. The right-handed batsman's time at the crease followed the early dismissals of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma during the power play.
A partnership was crucial as further wickets could have led to a collapse on the spin-friendly pitches of Dubai, and it was Iyer who forged a vital 91-run partnership with Kohli for the third wicket, reaffirming his reliability in the ODI lineup.
Clarke acknowledged Iyer’s performance, stating the pair ‘complemented each other perfectly.’
“He played excellently. His aggressive style and intent allow him to play his shots, relieving pressure from his batting partner. He and Virat Kohli are a perfect match. Virat’s experience helps guide Shreyas when necessary and keeps him calm. Their partnership was undoubtedly match-winning.
“Australia managed to take a couple of wickets, and had they broken that partnership earlier, especially by dismissing Virat, the outcome could have been very different. But credit to India—they played exceptionally well,” he concluded.
