Virat played a pivotal role in helping India win the three-game T20I series against Australia in the final game in Hyderabad, scoring a 63 from 48 balls that helped the hosts pursue the Kangaroos’ competitive goal of 187 to seal the 2-1 series.
With his 104-point stand with charismatic hitter Suryakumar Yadav (69), it was a treat to watch the two hitters perform their duty of punishing the bowling of visitors who had the likes of pat cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green among others.
Never before at the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates recently, Kohli, back in the side after taking a month-long hiatus to recharge his batteries, was in fine batting form.
“I mean it’s the key to Indian cricket. I mean it’s been going on for a while, for a long time. I mean there was a period when Virat Kohli was scoring runs and if there was something, MS Dhoni was finishing it at the end,” Jadeja said on Cricbuzz.
But now with the change of personnel around Virat Kohli it has made it easier for him and everyone else around him to play a whole different game of ball and the solidity that Virat Kohli provides and for me that has always been Virat Kohli’s toughness, not punching ability. That’s why he was a hunting master. He is a master hunter. He understands the rhythm of the game.”
Jadeja conceded that Kohli might not be the best when it comes to punching ability and massive punching, but his consistency is priceless.
“He may not have the striking ability that a lot of players have in the world and in this Indian team, but I don’t know anyone else who has the consistency of Virat Kohli,” added Jadeja.
The former India batter also highlighted why Kohli is such a scary name in all echelons of cricket, stressing: “So if consistency is what you want, he’s your man and he hasn’t shown it to you. today he’s been showing it to you for 10 years, 12, 15 years. It’s just that when you expect him to do what other people do, that’s where the trouble starts.”