VVS Laxman’s one cricket regret, other than not playing in the World Cup, is not scoring enough runs when India were not under pressure. Unlike many of his contemporaries, if there is such a thing as an “easy” run in international cricket, Laxman was not one of them. Many of his finest knocks came when India were cornered and he was not likely to score big runs, for example when he was out at 230 for three.
Virat Kohli has often summoned his inner Laxman but he has also perfectly developed the knack of scoring runs without pressure. Kohli loves the stage like no one else but even without it he has been an outstanding batsman for 15 years, scoring runs anywhere, in any format against anyone.
One of the former captain’s favourite opponents is a team he hasn’t faced very often. Since making his debut for India in August 2008, Kohli has played 523 times for India across three internationals, but only 26 of those have come against Pakistan – 16 One-Day Internationals and 10 Twenty20 Internationals.
These sporadic face-offs have been more than enough for the beautiful right-hander to leave an indelible impression on the minds of cricket fans on both sides of the border and other parts of the world. In 16 ODIs, he has amassed 678 runs at an average of 52.15 and a strike-rate of 100.29, with three hundreds and two half-centuries. In 10 T20Is, he has scored 488 runs at an astounding average of 88.33 and a strike-rate of 123.85. On an average, he has achieved one half-century in every two T20 innings against Pakistan. Suffice it to say, watching his old rivals in action stirs his competitive spirit like nothing else.
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Kohli’s mania is simply astounding. It’s clear to even the most casual onlooker when he takes to the field – every time he takes to the field. Not only is there steely determination in his eyes, but he has so little regard for his physical safety and only a skin deep in emotion. His emotions prevent him from becoming swept up in a tsunami of emotion that engulfs everyone around him. What’s amazing is that someone so passionate and committed can still step it up a gear against Pakistan. How does he manage to do it, time and time again, even if it’s not as often as the experts would like?
Kohli is a great example of someone who doesn’t let his emotions get the better of him. The ways he has found to vent are positive and effective. Though he is angry, annoyed and upset about Pakistan, he shares a good rapport with some of the players in Babar Azam’s team.
Why Virat Kohli is better against Pakistan
Kohli stands out among his generation of batsmen for his ability to make decisions without being swayed by emotion. His swagger exudes confidence, his body language exudes aggression and his movements show a sense of purpose. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammed Amir all get Kohli to switch off from the first ball, an attribute that comes easily to someone who takes so much pride in his performances.
The face-off between the two teams in the World Cup has only energised the 35-year-old even more. In four 50-over matches, he has recorded scores of 9, 107, 77 and 16, while in the T20 World Cup, he has scored 78*, 36*, 55*, 57 and 82* respectively. This translates to 308 runs in five innings in the T20 World Cup. India’s only loss in the white-ball World Cup to Pakistan came in Dubai in 2021. His 82 not out at the MCG was a stroke of genius and singlehandedly led India to victory. Rauf’s extraordinary back-foot straight sixes
Pakistan have been trying desperately to get Kohli out early, believing that half the job is done. But the champion batsman had other ideas. They believe their chances of getting Kohli out early will be better when he opens against them for the first time at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. They are confident that the new ball and Afridi will help. At least, they want to be convinced. Deep down, they know it will take a special delivery or a bit of luck to bring Kohli back in. Most of the special deliveries so far have come from his sharp, biting willow.
