After returning to bat a number 3 in the batting order and helping India to a score of 340 with an important 78-run innings in the 2nd ODI against Australia at Rajkot, Virat Kohli stated that “people are quick to press the panic button” on social media after every experiment done by the sid. In the first ODI, Kohli had walked out to bat at number 4 in Mumbai, with KL Rahul being given the duties at 3. However, the move did not work as Kohli had been dismissed for just 16 in that game.
“We live in the days of social media and the panic button was pressed too early,” Kohli said when asked about his decision to get back at No.3 in the post-match presentation in Rajkot.
Though Rahul had batted fluently at Wankhede, bringing Kohli lower down the order meant that the Australian bowlers could not be dominated in the death overs. I the game at Rajkot, Kohli started off by scoring at a strike rate of more than 100 in his first 20 balls and took the Indian total over the 300-run mark.
Coming in after the early departure of Rohit Sharma, Kohli along with Dhawan, put on a solid partnership to provide Rahul to go after the bowling in the last 10 overs. Team India scored more than 90 runs from overs 40 to 50, with Rahul smashing 80 in just 52 balls. Kohli was left impressed by Rahul’s ability to adapt to any situation and batting position.
“It’s important to not leave someone like KL out. You saw how he batted today. This is probably the best he’s played at the international level. The knock showed maturity and class, and we know exactly what we’re doing in the dressing room,” Kohli said in the post-match ceremony.
“In ODI cricket, Shikhar has been one of our most consistent performers. I’m very happy that he scored runs. It always augurs well when he and Rohit score runs,” said Kohli.
Team India leveled the series 1-1, with the third and final ODI being held in Bengaluru on Sunday.
