Manjot Kalra is in awe of Virat Kohli’s match finishing ability

Kohli scored 3 centuries during the six-match ODI series against India.

Manjot Kalra names Virat Kohli as his idol | BCCI

Virat Kohli’s stupendous batting exhibition during the tour of South Africa helped him won plenty of fans all around the world. After scoring 286 runs at an average of 47.66 on some of the most difficult wickets in the three-match Tests series, Kohli notched up three more ODI tons in the subsequent six-match ODI series.

Seeing a series of batting masterclass from Virat, India U-19 star Manjot Kalra has said that it is incredible to see the Indian captain set up a chase and then finish it all by himself.

"The way he (Kohli) sets up a chase, taking the game all the way to the very end and finishing it himself, and takes responsibility for the whole thing, is amazing indeed," Kalra quoted by Firstpost as saying on the sidelines of an event hosted by GNC India in New Delhi on Wednesday.

"Looking at some of his recent knocks, he hit three centuries in South Africa as well. Those knocks are a classic example of how he builds an innings," he further added.

Kalra grabbed the eyeballs of cricket fraternity with his scintillating 101* in the final of recently held ICC Under-19 World Cup against Australia. It was his magnificent ton that helped India chased down Australia U-19 target of 217 in the big final with 8 wickets in hand and 67 balls to spare.

There are quite a few budding cricketers in India who face the pressure of academics, expectations of good grades and degrees, but Kalra’s case was a bit different.

"I was never really forced into studying for long hours (by my parents). I was simply asked to pass my tests. When they noticed my growing interest in cricket, as well as my talent, they wouldn’t bother me with the pressure of academics and grades," he revealed.

The 19-year-old Manjot, who recently bagged a contract with Delhi Daredevils for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), further disclosed the reason why he took up cricket seriously.

"I didn’t have any inspiration as such initially. My elder brother used to play cricket, and I used to accompany him to the ground just to enjoy and have a good time.

"Eventually I got drawn into the game myself. I was then selected at the U-14 level, and once I was made captain of the team, my interest in the game grew further, and that’s when I decided that I wanted to play cricket (as a profession)," Kalra concluded.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 02 Mar, 2018

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