Sunil Gavaskar feels MS Dhoni's intent on Sunday was similar to the one in the 2011 World Cup Final
Virat Kohli once again showed on Sunday night, why he is regarded as among the greatest chasers in the game, playing a superb knock of 154 not out to lead India to a 2-1 lead in the 5-match ODI series against new Zealand in Mohali.
The 27-year-old received applause from all corners for his performance and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar also praised the right-hander’s exploits, stating that his mind worked like a computer and adding that
“What pleases everybody and particularly me is that there are no crude shots that he plays in the run-chase. You see him play all cricketing shots. There is no crude slogging, no shots that would make a purist cringe. I think that is the beauty about his batting.”
“His mind is like a computer. He knows exactly where the fielders, where he can hit the ball away from the fielder,” Gavaskar told NDTV on Sunday.
The 68-year-old also appreciated the innings played by skipper MS Dhoni, who he felt had the intent just like he did during the 2011 World Cup final and added that the 35-year-old realised the importance of the situation on Sunday night and accordingly, came up the order.
“Yes. The intent was there, just like in the finals. Knowing that Murali was bowling and that he picked him well since they played for the same IPL franchise at the time, so he had got used to his style of bowling. He took the responsibility upon him and eventually proved that move was right.
“Today too he realised that India could not afford to lose to New Zealand because it would have been very tough to come back. He knew that his experience was what was needed out in the middle. Manish Pandey is a very fine player, make no mistake about it. I think he, Kedar Jadhav are some of India’s fine young players. But think he realised that Manish can get carried away at that stage and if another wicket falls, then there could a little bit of tension.
“ And their partnership was so good. The way they were running between the wickets as well. The understanding when they came at the end of the over and I felt sorry when he got out for 80 because he deserved a 100 as well,” Gavaskar said.