'You don't put aside a player like that so easily': Chanderpaul hails Virat Kohli
West Indies legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul slams critics trying to write off Virat Kohli, praising his immense talent and longevity in international cricket.
West Indies cricket legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul has come out in strong defence of Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli, dismissing claims that the superstar is past his prime. Speaking on the incredible longevity of the Indian icon, Chanderpaul insisted that a player of Kohli's calibre cannot be written off by critics so easily.
A witness to greatness since the IPL's inception
Chanderpaul, who has amassed over 20,000 runs across all formats of the game, shared a unique perspective on Kohli's journey. Having shared a dressing room during the early days of the Indian Premier League, Chanderpaul has watched the evolution of the player from a teenage sensation to a global icon.
"You know, people are trying to write him off, but I knew him since he was a kid coming out from Under-19 coming into the Bangalore team," Chanderpaul remarked while attending the World Championship of Legends season 3. "I was there in the Bangalore team, and he came in as an Under-19 player... he had some rough starts in international cricket, but then he developed his game, and he was able to become the player he is today."
The veteran batsman emphasized that Kohli's hunger for success remains intact, stating: "You do not put aside a player like that so easily. He still has the talent, he still has whatever it takes to get out there and do well. It seems like he still wants to do well, which is really good."
Kohli's Dominant Recent Form
The statistics support Chanderpaul's unwavering faith. In just nine ODIs this year, Virat Kohli has been in scintillating form, amassing 552 runs at a staggering average of 69.00 and a strike rate of nearly 118. His tally includes two centuries and three fifties, highlighted by a masterful unbeaten 139.
Kohli currently sits as the second-highest run-getter in ODI history, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar. His career numbers stand at:
- Total ODI Runs: 15,109
- Matches: 317
- Average: 58.78
- Centuries: 55
- Highest Score: 183
Decoding West Indies' Batting Success
Beyond the discussion on Kohli, Chanderpaul also provided insight into why West Indies batters Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo performed so exceptionally during the recent ODI series against India. He attributed their success to their ability to handle spin on difficult Caribbean tracks.
According to Chanderpaul, the experience gained in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) prepared them for any conditions. "Shai has spent a lot of time in Guyana... where he learned to bat properly and bat a lot of spinners. And Amir played a lot in Trinidad, so he learned to bat properly in Trinidad because a lot of spinners are out there," he explained.
He noted that because these players are accustomed to challenging, spin-friendly wickets, they find batting on flat, high-scoring international tracks to be "easy pickings."
The Era of High-Scoring Pitches
Reflecting on the recent series where India chased down a massive 406 in the second ODI, Chanderpaul noted that the modern game is seeing unprecedented scoring rates. While the high totals were a concern for the West Indies bowlers, he pointed out that the batting prowess was mutual.
"It goes both ways. West Indies were able to score 400 runs also, right? So it goes both ways," he said, acknowledging that while India's batters—including Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill—were clinical, the pitches themselves are increasingly favouring the willow over the ball.