Kohli Over Rohit? Pujara Predicts Century Winner for New Zealand ODIs
Cheteshwar Pujara predicts Virat Kohli is more likely to score a century in the New Zealand ODI series and forecasts a 2-2 series draw.
As India prepares to take on New Zealand in an upcoming ODI series starting November 4, former batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara has weighed in on which of India's superstars is more likely to hit a ton. While both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in menacing form, Pujara believes that Virat Kohli New Zealand ODIs prospects for a century are slightly better than those of the skipper.
The Anchor vs The Aggressor
Speaking on JioHotstar, Pujara broke down the tactical reasons behind his prediction, focusing on the specific roles the two batters play in the Indian lineup. He noted that Rohit Sharma's primary objective is to provide explosive starts during the powerplay. However, he suggested that the unique conditions in New Zealand might force a shift in Rohit's aggressive approach, which could potentially open the door for a century.
Conversely, Pujara argued that Kohli's position at number three gives him a structural advantage. Because Kohli often plays the anchor role, he has more opportunity to build a long innings, making a century more attainable in the ODI format.
"The way Rohit bats, he has a role of providing good starts in the powerplay... But for Virat, the chances are slightly higher because he bats at number three. His game is more about playing the anchor role," Pujara explained.
Form Guide: A Clash of Titans
Both batters enter the series with significant momentum following a dominant run against the West Indies at home:
- Rohit Sharma: Amassed 225 runs in three innings, averaging 75.00 with a strike rate exceeding 115. His tally includes a century (101) and a half-century.
- Virat Kohli: Scored 168 runs in three innings, highlighted by a blistering unbeaten 139 off just 88 balls in the series opener while chasing 296.
Series Prediction: A Hard-Fought Draw
Beyond individual milestones, Pujara shared his vision for the overall series outcome. He predicted a 2-2 result, suggesting that the series will be a grueling contest. Interestingly, he believes India's strategy of rotating the squad across the five matches might actually provide a slight edge to the hosts.
The Squad Rotation Factor
Pujara pointed out that India will essentially field different combinations in the latter half of the series. While he is confident that India will perform strongly in the first three ODIs, he expects the final two matches to be more challenging as the team composition changes.
The New Zealand Variable
Adding a touch of realism to his forecast, Pujara didn't forget about the unpredictable weather in New Zealand. He noted that given the local climate, it is highly probable that one of the matches will be completely washed out by rain.