Virat Kohli starred with the bat in India’s emphatic 243-run victory over South Africa in Match 37 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday (November 5).
The star batter played a gritty knock of 101 not out in 121 balls on a slow pitch, propelling the hosts to a massive total of 326/5 in 50 overs.
It was a special hundred for Kohli as it came on his 35th birthday and he also equalled the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 49 ODI tons.
However, former Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez wasn’t impressed with Kohli’s batting approach as he felt the Indian great was playing for his individual milestone.
“I saw sense of selfishness in Virat Kohli’s batting and this happened for the third time in this World Cup. In the 49th over, he was looking to take a single to reach his own hundred and he didn’t put the team first,” Hafeez said on PTV Sports.
Hafeez further added that Virat should look at his captain Rohit Sharma, who is sacrificing his runs for the team’s cause.
“Rohit Sharma could have played selfish cricket too, but he didn’t because he is playing for Team India and not for himself,” Hafeez stated.
“You have to give credit to Rohit Sharma. The way he is sacrificing his innings with right intent is commendable. The way he batted in the first six overs. He gave that sucker punch to South Africa. He knew pitch will get difficult and must attack when the ball is new and hard. Your captain can also play like you but his goal is bigger than his personal achievement. Rohit can also hit centuries.
“I am not saying Virat didn’t play well. He batted beautifully till he reached 97. The last three singles, he took, I am talking about the intent. He was looking for singles instead of hitting boundaries. Who cares if he gets out on 97 or 99. Team should always be above than personal milestone,” he remarked.
On the other hand, former Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz disagreed with Hafeez, saying that every player’s role is defined in this Indian team.
“I disagree. The role is defined differently. Virat’s role is to take the game deep. In the last eight overs India scored 75 runs. Surya and Jadeja played fast but Kohli made sure that he is there at other end. if Kohli would have got out, we would have not seen those two cameos and India might not have crossed the 300-run mark,” said Wahab.
“We talk about role identification. Rohit and Shubman are going all guns blazing up front. Then Virat plays the sheet anchor role, taking game deep. If Rohit and Shubman gets out early, Shreyas’ will be the aggressor, Kohli and KL Rahul will bat through. It is very clear. yes Kohli batted slowly but if not for him, India would not have posted 326,” he added.
Ex-Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif echoed Wahab Riaz’s viewpoint and said: “His role is to stay there. No matter how many balls he is facing. You see the partnerships, he has played the second fiddle but that’s his role. The others bat around him.”
