NEW DELHI: As Team India gears up for a three-match ODI series against England starting February 6 in Nagpur, all eyes are on Virat Kohli, who is expected to stick to his tried-and-tested batting approach. The 50-over format, which saw him thrive in the 2023 ODI World Cup, presents the ideal stage for the modern-day batting great to reclaim his form.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes Kohli will continue to rely on the method that brought him remarkable success in the World Cup, where he was the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 765 runs in 11 innings, including three centuries.
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Speaking on Star Sports, Bangar said, “I think he would spend some time at the crease because that’s where he has solidified the way he has played the 50-over format. He is not really going to go and blast attacks apart in the first 30-40 balls. He has got a set template which has given him a lot of success.”
Bangar also pointed out that Kohli’s focus on ODIs has increased since stepping away from T20 Internationals. “This is the format that he loves. He also knows that he is not going to be playing for India in the third format, the T20 format, from where he has retired. So he would certainly want to be at his best in this particular format,” he added.
Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar echoed Bangar’s sentiments, emphasising that ODIs provide an ideal environment for Kohli to find his rhythm.
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“ODI cricket has a massive contribution to the other formats. If you have to find form as a batter, 50-over cricket is ideal because if you are out of form in T20 cricket, it is very difficult to regain form as you have to play the top game as soon as you go in,” Manjrekar said on Star Sports.
Manjrekar further highlighted how ODIs offer a balance between patience and opportunity, giving players like Kohli a chance to settle in and build innings. “This is a format where Virat Kohli can take a little time. The opposing team might try to get him out early, but you cannot bowl a six-over spell. So this is a chance, and he is such a great player that the runs missing in international cricket will be scored in this format,” he remarked.
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As Team India prepares for the England series and looks ahead to the 2025 Champions Trophy, starting on February 20 in Dubai, Kohli’s performance in ODIs will be crucial not only for the team but also for his individual resurgence.
