"Will Be Five Kilos Less": On Virat Kohli's Ton, Ex-India Coach Ravi Shastri's Out Of The Box Take

10.09.2022 - 09:39 sports.ndtv.com

For Virat Kohli, his ton against Afghanistan in an Asia Cup Super 4 match was relieving to say the least. After over 1000 days, Kohli scored a ton in international cricket.

His 122* off 61 balls against Afghanistan was also the highest-ever individual score in T20I cricket by an Indian. With the T20 World Cup starting in less than two months' time, the timing could not have been better for Kohli to roar back to form.

After the ton on Thursday, former India coach Ravi Shastri was asked about Kohli reaching the triple-figure mark after 1020 days, and he gave his insight on it. "You mentioned 1020 days, I can say 700 days I was in that dressing room when that happened.

It's a long time. The monkey is off his back now. When you had astounding success like he has, when 70 hundreds come like this, then you go through a patch of one, two years, two-and-half years, two-and-three quarter years, and then everyday people start reminding - 'It's been that long'.

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Former New Zealand batter Ross Taylor is one of the modern-day greats and the star Kiwi player is currently in India to play Legends League Cricket. 2022 has been a significant year for him as he first bid farewell to international cricket and then he came up with his autobiography -- Ross Taylor: Black And White. The batter, who would be playing for India Capitals in Legends League Cricket, spoke to NDTV about the chances of New Zealand and India at the T20 World Cup, the form of Virat Kohli, the impact of Rahul Dravid as a coach, and much more.

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"Will Leave Everyone Behind...": Ex-Pakistan Star On India Batter. It's Not Rohit Sharma Or Virat Kohli

ndia batter Suryakumar Yadav once again proved his mettle with a fiery knock of 69 runs in 36 balls in the third and final T20I match against Australia on Sunday at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Suryakumar, along Virat Kohli, stitched a partnership of 104 runs, to help Team India chase down the target of 187 with six wickets in hand. With this win, the Rohit Sharma-led side also clinched the three-match T20 series 2-1. Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria lavished praised on Suryakumar and stated that he will surpass everybody to become one of the greatest batters of all time.

'Grand Reunion' - Virat Kohli Engrossed In Discussion With Ravi Shastri Ahead Of Second T20I. See Pics

After losing the first T20I against Australia, India face a must-win situation in the second T20I if they are to stay alive in the three-match contest. The series is part of the final few series that India will be playing ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Before the second T20I in Nagpur, former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli met with former India coach Ravi Shastri, who is part of the commentary panel for the official broadcasters.

"Where Is Brilliance?" Ravi Shastri Slams India's Fielding In Loss To Australia In 1st T20I

India got off to a sloppy start in the T20I series against Australia as they failed to defend their total of 208 in the first match in Mohali on Tuesday. Apart from some pedestrian bowling, India were also found lacking in the field, with Axar Patel, KL Rahul and Harshal Patel all putting down chances that proved to be costly. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, now back in the commentary box, was critical of India's efforts in the field, saying they were lacking "brilliance" in the absence of the injured Ravindra Jadeja.

"XYZ Can Say Whatever They Want...": Ravi Shastri on "No. 1 Allrounder" Hardik Pandya

The Indian cricket squad for the T20 Word Cup has already been announced. Hardik Pandya holds a special place in the 15-member squad as he is the top all-rounder in the side. Pandya has shown maturity with the bat and has been bowling fast too. Former Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri, in his own inimitable style, reiterated once again that Pandya is the no. 1 allrounder in the T20I format. "I have already tweeted and posted on Instagram that he is the No. 1 all-rounder in this format of the game. What else do you need? I had said it two weeks back. What else is there to add or subtract? XYZ can say whatever they want... everyone is entitled to his opinion. My view is clear, which is what I tweeted a couple of weeks ago," Shastri told Sports Tak.