Virat Kohli has been in sensational form in the ODI format. He recently scored a brilliant century in the first ODI in the recently concluded India vs West Indies three-match ODI series. The former India captain is still breaking records at the age of 37. Amidst this, former West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul has praised Kohli for his exceptional achievements.
Virat only plays one format and has still been at his very best in the 50-over format. He continues to score runs for the Men in Blue, and there is no better batter across the world right now at No.3. He led India’s 296-run chase in the first game, though he did not have his best games in the next two, but India won the series.
"You know the guy can still play": Shivnarine Chanderpaul backs Virat Kohli
While speaking to ANI, Shivnarine Chanderpaul heaped praise on the longevity of Virat Kohli and the hunger he showcases. The former Windies batter speaks of the U-19 days of the former India captain; since then, he is familiar with Kohli’s talent, as a young Virat Kohli made his mark at the U-19 stage of the game for India and Bengaluru.
He said (as quoted by ANI), "You know the guy can still play. Right? You know, people are trying to write him off, but I knew him since he was a kid coming out from Under-19 coming into the Bangalore team. I was there in the Bangalore team, and he came in as an Under-19 player into the team, and he was doing really well in Under-19 cricket, then came straight into the Bangalore team."
"He had some rough starts in international cricket": Shivnarine Chanderpaul recalls Virat Kohli's early days
Chanderpaul then added about the rough international debut of Kohli, where he struggled and then developed to become one of the greatest batters of this generation. He also swiped at the selectors who wanted to put him aside and drop him from the team, as he stated that he cannot be put aside easily as he has got the talent.
"So, you know, and since from then on, you know, he had some rough starts in international cricket, but then he developed his game, and he was able to become the player he is today. I mean, you do not put aside a player like that so easily. You know, he still has the talent, he still has whatever it takes to get out there and do well. It seems like he still wants to do well, which is really good," he said.
Virat Kohli's recent form
Virat Kohli is India’s third-highest run-scorer this year for India and fourth overall in the ODIs; so far, he has scored 552 runs in the 50-over format and looked in exquisite form, with an average of 69 and a strike rate of 117.94, and has scored two hundreds and three fifties so far in this calendar year.
Kohli finished the Windies series with 168 runs, which is poor in terms of the form he has been in, and after scoring 139* runs in the first game, he scored 29 in the second and was out for a golden duck in the third game. This would be a bit of a concern for him ahead of the New Zealand series.
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