IND vs SA: Virat Kohli's Innings Against Pakistan Was Old School Chase: David Hussey
Published - 29 Oct 2022, 07:03 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:14 AM
David Hussey, a former Australian cricketer and one of the first T20 game experts, referred to Virat Kohli’s innings against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 as “old school.”
Hussey explained his position by stating that current hitters no longer play the game the way Kohli did since it has advanced significantly.
Virat Kohli is the talk of the town for his brilliant unbeaten knock of 82 (53) against arch-rival Pakistan. He has an excellent track record against the Men in Green. In all ODIs and T20s against Pakistan, Kohli has amassed 1024 runs in 23 innings at an average of 60.23. He has scored these runs at an impressive strike rate of 107.67 across both formats.
Some of the best innings of his career have come in these 23 innings, including his masterclass at the MCG on Sunday.
“Virat Kohli has soaked up a lot of pressure”: David Hussey
Hussey claimed that the T20 game has changed drastically from a tactical standpoint in an interview with Sportstar after the match.
“From a batting standpoint, we’ve turned nearly 180 degrees. It was more entertaining at first. “Rather than attacking a bowler and hitting him for three or four back-to-back sixes, you hit a four or a six and then get one off the following delivery and attempt to get about 10 or 12 runs each over,” Hussey explained.
Kohli had taken a long time to get going against Pakistan after absorbing a lot of strain following India’s top-order failure. In the final over, the batter turned the game in India’s favor by hitting two stunning sixes off Haris Rauf.
“Last Sunday, India beat Pakistan at the MCG. Virat Kohli took his time, precisely paced the innings, and cashed in at the end. They suddenly needed 15 or 16 off the last over, and they got it with the penultimate ball.”
“So it was a traditional T20 run chase. They took their time and held their wickets on a new ball pitch. The Indian team then attacked a couple of spin-bowling alternatives, and the final over was a full performance” David Hussey remarked.
In their third T20 World Cup match on Sunday in Perth, India will square off against South Africa.
