‘If it stays in fourth gear, then God help you’: Ravi Shastri as Virat Kohli outdoes Sachin Tendulkar

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli eased the batting in India’s first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland on Wednesday. The star batsman scored 74 runs off 51 balls to help India win the match by five wickets (DLS) and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.India had to chase down a revised target of 143 runs in 32 overs. Kohli ensured there was no late drama as India reached the target in just 22.4 overs.Kohli hit 13 fours and a six during his innings. His shots through the covers and pulls were among the highlights of his knock.Former India head coach Ravi Shastri was full of praise for Kohli. He said the 74-run innings was valuable as a century because of the conditions in which it was played.“A 70 in conditions like these is worth a hundred. He’s never been overtaken in the whole innings. And if he stays in fourth gear like that, God help you. When the lads in the dressing room watch him and how he’s still angry when he got out on 38, they’ll understand they’ve got work to do,” said Ravi Shastri on Sony Sports.Shastri also spoke about the support Kohli provided to skipper Shubman Gill during the chase. According to him, Kohli’s ability to take quick singles kept the New Zealand bowlers under pressure.“He also took a lot of pressure off Shubman Gill at the other end. He gets out so fast that the pressure is on the pitcher all the time. I’ve seen him all these years and I can’t tell you if he’s batted better.”

Kohli leaves Sachin behind in ODI chases

Kohli’s innings also helped him break another major record. He went past Sachin Tendulkar to become the highest run scorer in ODIs. Sachin scored 8,720 runs in 242 innings while batting second in ODIs. His record included 17 centuries and 52 half-centuries at an average of 42.33.Kohli has now scored 8,741 runs in 169 innings in ODI chasers. He did so with an average of 66.21 and a success rate of 95.03. His record includes 30 centuries and 46 half-centuries.His record is even better if India wins in the chase. Kohli has scored 6,477 runs in 108 innings in successful runs in ODIs. His average is 89.95 and his strike rate is over 98. He has scored 25 centuries and 30 half-centuries, with 183 being his highest score.

Kohli matches Ponting’s record against New Zealand

There was another record for Kohli in the first ODI. He equaled former Australia captain Ricky Ponting’s record for most runs against New Zealand in ODI cricket.Both Kohli and Ponting scored 1971 runs against New Zealand.Kohli reached this total in 37 innings at an average of 57.97 and a strike rate of 97.86. He has seven centuries and 11 half-centuries against the Black Caps.Ponting scored the same number of runs in 50 innings in 51 matches. His average was 45.83, with six centuries and 12 half-centuries.Kohli’s latest performance added two more major records to his name and helped India open the ODI series with a win.