IND vs PAK: Aakash Chopra Heaps Praise On Virat Kohli After His 122-Run Knock vs Pakistan, Says 'It Seems Like The Premadasa Stadium Is His Home Ground'

Former India batsman, Aakash Chopra applauded Virat Kohli for his stellar 122-run knock against Pakistan in the third Super Fours match of the Asia Cup on Monday (September 11th) at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

In the first inning, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma started brilliantly and the opening duo made a partnership of 121 runs. After they got dismissed, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul took the responsibility and led India to a total of 356 runs.

In the second inning, Kuldeep Yadav led the Indian bowling attack and took five wickets in his eight-over spell and gave away only 25 runs and also helped the Men in Blue to clinch a 228-run win against their arch-rivals.

While speaking on his official YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that the cricket stadium in Colombo is like his home ground since every time the player visits the venue, he scores a century.

The 45-year-old added that Virat Kohli knows the R. Premadasa Stadium very well and that big grounds suit him a lot because of his unmatchable fitness.

Chopra further added that Kohli started the match slowly and cautiously but later smashed boundaries and appreciated the player for understanding the 50-over game so well.

“I am going to talk about Virat Kohli’s No. 47 first. It seems like the Premadasa Stadium is his home ground. He scores a century every time. He might score another century today as well (against Sri Lanka).

“He understands the Premadasa pitch very well. Big grounds always suit him because he has what a lot of people don’t and that’s his fitness. When he started, the way he was playing, he was going at almost a run-a-ball. He was playing slowly and cautiously but no one understands ODI cricket’s DNA better than this player,” Aakash Chopra said.

When he starts hitting, he chooses the gaps, when and where to hit: Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli

Aakash Chopra explained the 34-year-old’s playing style and said that Virat Kohli always prefers the gaps when he starts hitting.

“When he wants to accelerate, he chooses his prey, that his time has come now. He first kills them with his running because he runs very well, taking doubles by utilizing the big ground. When he starts hitting, he chooses the gaps, when and where to hit.

“The straight six he hit off Naseem Shah’s bowling was an amazing shot. He was going steadily and then suddenly accelerated drastically,” he added.

India will lock horns against Sri Lanka in the fourth Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2023 on Tuesday (September 12th).