IND vs BAN: Virat Kohli Is A Machine: Hemang Badani

Former Indian batter Hemang Badani considers Virat Kohli to be the greatest one-day international player of all time. With his constant exploits over the years, the ex-India captain has undoubtedly set new benchmarks in the game and has already carved a niche for himself.

While his record in whites in the shortest format speaks for itself, Virat Kohli stands out in one-day internationals. He’s had a forgettable year thus far, averaging only 21.88 over eight innings.

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Virat Kohli is looking to make amends in the next one-day international series against Bangladesh. He has come a long way since the 2022 Asia Cup, stamped his authority in the recently finished T20 World Cup 2022, and will look to carry that form over the next 12 months for Indian cricket.

Hemang Badani Hails Virat Kohli

In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda arranged by Sony Sports, Badani described Virat Kohli as a “machine.”

“I think Kohli is a machine, I don’t think he will even bother whether it is Bangladesh, Pakistan or Australia, he is just going to bat, he will structure his batting. I think this format suits him the best. He is by far, for me, the best player in ODI cricket that I have ever seen.”

Badani continued, noting Suryakumar Yadav’s influence on Virat Kohli’s recent and prospective performances:

“All he would love to do is bat the 50 overs and it is even easier for him now because he has got guys like Surya to up the ante. He is just going to bat in one simple fashion – bat long and get hundreds, that’s it, that’s all he will look to do.”

Virat Kohli has a strong record against Bangladesh in all formats. In one-day internationals, the former captain has an average of 75.56 in 12 innings, scoring three hundreds. He memorably scored a century on his World Cup debut against the same opposition in 2011 at Dhaka’s Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

I Don’t See The Bangladesh Side As A Pushover By No Means: Hemang Badani

Team India’s upcoming tour of Bangladesh would be the country’s first bilateral series in seven years. During their most recent visit to the neighbouring country, the Men in Blue were defeated 2-1 in a three-match ODI series.

The 2016 Asia Cup is India’s final official competition in the country. MS Dhoni’s team won the title after defeating the hosts in the final.

Badani acknowledged Bangladesh’s recent ODI success, saying:

“Obviously it is not going to be easy series. If you look at Bangladesh in recent times, they have actually done well in ODI cricket, and we as a side are travelling after about six-seven years. So, it has been a long gap where Bangladesh have actually gotten better.”

Bringing up the recent rain-shortened match between the two Asian nations at the T20 World Cup 2022, which India won, Badani said:

“Even in the T20 game if you go back and see the World Cup, if not for the rain, you never know, things could have been a lot different.”

Badani concluded:

“I don’t see the Bangladesh side as a pushover by no means, they are a serious side and they get that much more that much more difficult to beat, when you play them at home.”

Bangladesh has caused problems for India in recent games, but failing to cross the line has been a recurring theme.

The Bangla Tigers are currently on a five-match losing streak against their neighbours, but they come into the series having recently won series against Afghanistan, South Africa, and the West Indies.

Beginning on Sunday, December 4, the two teams will square off in three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Tests.

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