Kapil Dev praises Kohli for playing proper cricketing shots

Former India skipper Kapil Dev has once again praised Virat Kohli after the innings he played against Australia ensured India’s place in the semi-final of the World T20. Dev was impressed with Kohli’s ability to play orthodox cricketing shots even in the shortest format of the game.

“Hats off to this genius with a bat,” Dev wrote in the Mail Today newspaper.

“I have always believed that T20 cricket is not just about slamming the ball or indulging in ambitious shots. You can play your normal cricket strokes and win your battles against the bowlers. Virat’s exhibition proved it,” he stated.

India will face the West Indies in the second semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday. The Men in Blue are hoping to become the first team to win the World T20 twice, and the first on home soil. Former all-rounder Ravi Shastri, who is now India’s coach, said that Kohli’s “fabulous” innings had proved that the team was hitting its stride at the crucial moment. “From India’s point of view, I think they’ll get stronger as this tournament progresses,” said Shastri.

Kohli hit an unbeaten 82 off 51 balls that included some incredible shots in Mohali on Sunday night, as India chased down Australia’s total of 160-6 in a thrilling final group match. With three overs to go, India were still 39 runs short of their target but they cantered home with five balls to spare as Kohli and skipper Dhoni laid into the Australian attack. Kohli hit four boundaries in the penultimate over off Nathan Coulter-Nile before Dhoni finished the job with another four.