India: Ajinkya Rahane discusses Virat Kohli’s white-ball chasing success
Ajinkya Rahane has offered insights into why Virat Kohli is considered a leading run-chaser in limited-overs cricket. Kohli has consistently guided India to victories in high-pressure situations, a reputation he has built over time. Rahane attributes this success to Kohli’s mental approach during an innings.
Even when facing large targets, with rising run rates or falling wickets, Kohli maintains composure. His acute game awareness and ability to discern the right moments to attack have established him as a dependable batter in ODI and T20I cricket. His statistics when batting second are notable in one-day cricket history, frequently producing match-winning performances for India during chases.
Kohli holds the record for the most centuries in successful ODI run chases, having reached three figures 22 times in victories while batting second. This achievement surpasses other batters, with Sachin Tendulkar next on the list with 14 hundreds in winning chases, and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting with eight.
Kohli’s Chasing Mindset
Rahane believes that Kohli’s primary strength in chasing is not merely his technique, but his thought process during these innings. In a podcast discussion, Rahane mentioned his attempts to understand the secret behind Kohli’s consistent success, noting that Kohli does not readily reveal his methods. Rahane described Kohli’s calculation as often fearless, particularly in knowing when to take risks.
Former England captain Alastair Cook also commended Kohli’s distinctive approach to chasing, highlighting his ability to take calculated risks that might appear significant but are well-managed by him. This capacity for decision-making under pressure is seen as a key factor distinguishing Kohli.
Many batters possess the technical skills to hit the ball forcefully or adhere to conventional cricket strategies during a chase. However, Kohli’s ability to manage the mental demands, such as nerves and pressure, and make split-second decisions, sets him apart. His consistent performance levels in chasing are a testament to his sustained success.
Rahane’s observations suggest that Kohli’s strength lies in his deep understanding of the game’s requirements and his mental fortitude. This enables him to perform exceptionally in chases, irrespective of external conditions or opposition strength.
Partnerships and Team Impact
Beyond his individual chasing prowess, Virat Kohli has also been a significant partner in Test cricket. Ajinkya Rahane reflected on his bond with Kohli, noting their successful partnerships in Test matches. The duo scored 3661 runs together from 67 innings in Test cricket.
Rahane described their partnership as a blend of Kohli’s aggressive nature and his own calm demeanor, which he felt complemented each other effectively. He emphasised that positive and frank communication was crucial to their success while batting together.
Kohli himself has referred to Rahane as his favourite Test batting partner. After Rahane’s retirement from international cricket, Kohli shared a message acknowledging Rahane’s contributions to Indian cricket and his role as a batting partner.
Rahane also discussed the impact Kohli and Ravi Shastri had on Indian cricket following MS Dhoni’s departure from Test captaincy. As vice-captain under Kohli’s leadership, Rahane observed firsthand the transformation, which included a more aggressive mindset and a cultural shift within the team.
Under Kohli’s captaincy, India ascended to the number one spot in the ICC Test rankings within two years of his taking over in January 2015, maintaining that position for much of his tenure until January 2022. Rahane credited Kohli and Shastri with making the team more resilient, particularly in overseas matches, by encouraging aggressive play and risk-taking.
The partnership between Kohli and Rahane in Test cricket resulted in 10 century stands and 17 half-century stands. Their combined efforts placed them among the top pairs in Test history for runs scored.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
