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Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar said ace batsman Virat Kohli has a chance to equal shock maestro Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 centuries in international cricket. Gavaskar added that if the 37-year-old continues to play for three more years, the remaining centuries are just around the corner.
Team India registered a 9-wicket victory in the third and final ODI match at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6. Chasing 271 runs, Rohit Sharma (75) and Yashasvi Jaiswal added a 155-run partnership for the opening wicket. Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 116 balls while Kohli scored 65 off 45 balls.
His chances of reaching 100 are good, very good – Sunil Gavaskar on Virat Kohli
Speaking on JioHotstar, Sunil Gavaskar said that Kohli has hit two tons in the three-match series and may add more in the coming games, which will take him closer to the 80-plus mark. Gavaskar added that reaching 100 centuries looks very achievable.
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“Why not? Even if he plays for three more years, he needs 1,600 players here,” Gavaskar said during the live broadcast.
“The way he is batting, he has scored two centuries in the three-match series. Going forward, even if he scores two more wickets against New Zealand in the three-match series, he will reach 87. So the chances of him reaching 100 are good, very good,” he added.
Virat Kohli bowls from second ball – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar said Kohli looked relaxed and confident, pointing out that a strong start gave him freedom to play. He added that it is difficult to see Kohli’s T20 style game in ODI innings.
“The way he batted today (Saturday), knowing that the game was almost in India’s hands – he knew that the openers had laid a good foundation and that batsmen in form would follow,” Gavaskar explained.
“So he’s enjoying himself in the middle. We rarely see this version of Virat Kohli (in T20 incarnation) in ODI cricket.”
“None of his shots from the second ball were reckless. Can anyone tell me whether his innings had an inside edge or an outside edge?” Gavaskar said.
Virat Kohli redefines ODI approach with dominant 302-run series
Virat Kohli scored 302 points in the series at an average of 151 and a strike rate of 117.05. His goalscoring rate is much faster than his career mark of around 94 goals. He smashed two centuries and scored an unbeaten 65 in Visakhapatnam. The right-handed batsman hit 24 fours and 12 sixes throughout the series.
Kohli shows an excellent balance between attack and control. While he was clearing the ropes more often than at most stages of his career, he still maintained his signature batting rotation, frequently participating in singles and doubles.
He has reinvented his style of play in ODIs. Instead of waiting until the final possession to accelerate, he applies pressure from the start while still maintaining the consistency and running game that define his success.
