Virat Kohli's Attitude Warms My Heart: Shane Warne

Legendary spinner Shane Warne went gaga over India skipper Virat Kohli after the latter’s sublime ton in the third ODI against Australia.  Just two days after the stunning knock on the tough pitch of Nagpur, Kohli came up with another stunner, this time in Ranchi.

Chasing 314, India were staring down the barrel after Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu departed with just 27 runs on the board. However, Kohli was unfazed by losing his partners at regular intervals and went on to produce another batting masterclass.

On a pitch where the other players did not look at ease, Kohli was playing a flawless innings. He went on to score his 41st ODI ton before being dismissed by Adam Zampa for 123. The knock came off just 95 deliveries and contained 16 fours and a six.  By scoring his 41st ODI hundred, he broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most hundreds in India-Australia ODIs in India. This was his 8th ODI hundred against Australia and third of 2019.  He also became the quickest skipper to score 4,000 ODI runs.

But unlike his Nagpur knock, Kohli’s Ranchi knock did not come in a winning cause. The visitors bowled out India for 281 to win the game by 32 runs and keep the five-match series alive.

Following the game, Shane Warne took to Twitter to hail Kohli’s attitude. He also congratulated Australia, writing:

“I love watching @imVkohli bat & play cricket as he never ever gives up & always believes his team can win when he’s batting. Just a terrific attitude & one that warms my heart. Congrats to Oz on a wonderful win, some great signs with bat & ball ! Very happy for @AaronFinch5 too !”

I love watching @imVkohli bat & play cricket as he never ever gives up & always believes his team can win when he’s batting. Just a terrific attitude & one that warms my heart. Congrats to Oz on a wonderful win, some great signs with bat & ball ! Very happy for @AaronFinch5 too !

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 8, 2019

Speaking at the end of the game, Kohli said his latest ton is one of his finest tons.

“In terms of hitting the ball, it was one of my finest hundreds. I just felt really clear in my head from ball one. Even after three wickets, I thought I should play my game and not think of what happens if I play my shots. I was very disappointed when I got out. I really thought we had a chance with the difference being 20 between balls and runs,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation.

India, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back and win the series when they take on Australia in the fourth ODI in Mohali on Sunday.