Former Pakistan legend Wasim Akram praised India run-machine Kohli, who scored his fifth fifty-plus knock in the tournament, for his batting against Sri Lanka and for the big second wicket stand with Gill after they lost Rohit Sharma early in the first over.
“Timely runs, because they lost their first wicket with just 4 runs on the board and that too in just the second ball of the match. And they lost their second wicket when India were at 193. Both have played very sensible innings. Virat scored 88 with the help of 11 fours. You see, experience matters. When wickets fell, they kept scoring five an over, four an over. Virat’s strike rate was 93 but once that partnership was done it was game over for Sri lanka,” Akram said.
Akram couldn’t stop singing praise for Kohli and called him a ‘complete batter’.
“Looks at him, this guy is the best in the world. One or two centuries away from the half-century of centuries. Sachin Tendulkar ka record todega. I think usse bas ek dur rah gaya hein. Once he settles in, he just plays shots at his will against the spin, against the medium pace, against the fast bowlers. A complete batter, one of the best in the world,” Akram added.
Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli (ANI Photo)
Ex-Pakistan wicketkeeper Moin Khan also praised the partnership, while singling out Gill for special mention as the India opener came out of low scores with a stunning knock in Mumbai.
“Three batters missed hundreds. He [Gill] batted really well. When you don’t score much in the last three matches, you have the desire to go and take the challenge. We can see that in this youngster, he loves to take challenges. He plays shots everywhere today from the start. After losing a wicket early, the partnership he put on with Kohli, the 189 runs was very useful for India,” Moin said.
“The bowling was not great against them, but few shots were extraordinary. He has all the shots, and is not a one-dimensional player. That’s why he succeeded in the challenge to not throw away his wicket. But got out at the wrong time and missed the ton,” Moin said with a smile.
Riding on fifties from Kohli, Gill and Shreyas Iyer (82 off 56), India posted a mammoth 357 for 8 after being sent into bat first. Then pacers, led by Mohammed Shami (5/18), bundled out Sri Lanka for just 55 in 19.4 overs to take the hosts into the semi-finals. India become the first team to secure top four slot in the tournament.
World Cup 2023: India crush Sri Lanka, become first team to qualify for semifinals