IND vs WI: The Aerial Shots Were Refreshing, Showed Different Purpose - Sunil Gavaskar On Virat Kohli's Knock In 2nd T20I Against West Indies

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was pleased with the way Virat Kohli batted in the second T20I, stating that the attacking mindset and the aerial strokeplay were quite refreshing to watch.

Kohli scored a quick 51 off 42 balls in the second T20I studded with seven fours and a six. He got off the blocks in a quick fashion, looking to make the most of the field restrictions in the powerplay. Although he slowed down after Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed, he ensured the team didn’t collapse.

“We have seen Virat Kohli all this while and he is the same. Yes, he played some of those delicate shots – the cut and guide shots – which we normally don’t see because he prefers to play in the ‘V’ and shots which are along the ground most of the time.”

“So to see him play those aerial shots was refreshing because it shows there is a different purpose now. We talk about intent, but his batting showed purpose and that was not to get the bowler get on top because of the early wicket of Ishan Kishan,” Gavaskar told in a conversation with Star Sports.

“Rohit wasn’t in his usual flow today in the match” – Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar also pointed out that Rohit’s knock was quite uncharacteristic compared to what everybody has come to expect of the 34-year-old. He played a slow and painful 18-ball 19 and got out trying to accelerate.

“Even Rohit said it that Kohli took the pressure off him. Rohit wasn’t in his usual flow today in the match. So you need one man to take the pressure off the other. Also, there is running between the wickets. More than anything else with Kohli is that he has got the instinct for a run where a run should be, and instinct that there should be minimum dot balls in an innings,” Gavaskar added.

India posted 186/5 on the board courtesy of fifties from Rishabh Pant and Kohli before the bowlers came back in the death to seal the series victory for India.

Also Read – IND vs WI: Slightly Vintage Virat Kohli Was Seen: Aakash Chopra Impressed By His Counter-Attacking Knock