Legendary India batter Virat Kohli was asked to build an ultimate ODI batter based on some of the shots that were discussed with him. Kohli was recently part of the first ODI between India and the West Indies on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram.

Kohli made 139* in India’s successful chase of the 369-run target and added 151 runs for the second wicket with Shubman Gill (110). In the process, Kohli went past the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket and made his 55th one-day ton and 86th overall in international cricket.

Kohli was asked by Star Sports to design his "ultimate ODI batter shot by shot" ahead of the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati, and what he chose was "pure class." He showed no hesitation on the straight drive, and there was no other choice. He chose Sachin Tendulkar.  

“Sachin Tendulkar (for straight drive), the best I saw on the field growing up. A pleasure to watch sometimes, hard to watch when you are on the field and chasing the leather,” Kohli said on Star Sports.

Then came the cover drive, and while Kohli himself is known for a picturesque shot, he chose Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, whose cover drive shot was both technically pure and aesthetically pleasing.

The flick shot is one of the best in Kohli’s arsenal and was made popular by ex-India captain Mohammed Azharuddin. But Kohli picked Rahul Dravid’s flick shot over the other two. Kohli then chose Virender Sehwag’s cut shot.

He had to think a bit when asked to choose a batter for the sweep shot, but then chose Australia’s burly opener Matthew Hayden for his power and reach.

When it came to hitting sixes, Kohli only needed to glance at his old RCB partner Chris Gayle. Before Rohit Sharma broke the record with 665 maximums, Gayle held the record for the most sixes in international cricket for a very long time, with 553.

For running between the wickets, Kohli surprised everyone by choosing his ex-RCB partner AB de Villiers over legendary India captain MS Dhoni.

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