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Virat Kohli in brutal act amid ugly World Cup storm for India

The batting maestro has dominated the headlines again at the Cricket World Cup.

andrew reid
·5-min read
Pictured right, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.
Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja both faced scrutiny from fans after their batting display against New Zealand. Pic: Getty

For the second game in succession, Virat Kohli has been accused of being "selfish" and driven by individual milestones, despite guiding his side to its fifth straight win at the Cricket World Cup. Kohli's classy 95 saw the hosts snap New Zealand's unbeaten run at the tournament, courtesy of a four-wicket win in the top-of-the-table clash in Dharamsala.

Kohli came under fire in the win over Bangladesh after farming the strike and turning down singles so he could notch his 48th ODI century. That put the India just one ton behind fellow cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 49 ODI centuries - a feat Kohli came desperately close to equalling against New Zealand.

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In his pursuit of the milestone, Kohli was ultimately caught out going for a six when India only needed seven runs for victory with three overs remaining. The wicket meant it was left to Ravindra Jadeja - who made 39 not and combined in a crucial stand with Kohli - to hit the winning runs for the home side.

Fans were less than impressed when Kohli was approaching triple figures and called for a comfortable single on the 5th ball of the 47th over, with Jadeja happy to block the next ball so his partner remained on strike. Then in the next over, the Indian batters opted not to take a single when one was on offer and Kohli could be seen turning Jadeja back when he wanted to come back for a second run.

Virat Kohli masterclass divides fans

The incidents proved divisive for fans on social media, with many accusing Kohli of prioritising his own personal milestones over the team and Jadeja being complicit. Others insisted the batting maestro had more than answered his critics and marvelled in the latest masterclass from the tournaments's top scorer - who has now hit 85, 55 (no), 16, 103 (no) and 95 to average a staggering 118 after the first five games.

Kohli's match-winning display came after New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell belted a stunning 130 (127 balls) to power the Black Caps towards their total of 273. Mitchell forged a 159-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra (75) before the Indian bowlers hit back, with Mohammed Shami leading the way for the home side after claiming 5-54.

Skipper Rohit Sharma (46) led India's rollicking start but it was Kohli's fourth 50-plus score in five innings that helped inflict a first defeat of the World Cup on the impressive Kiwis. "Good start to the tournament but our job is half done," Rohit said of India's perfect start to the campaign.

"At one stage, New Zealand put up a big partnership there... we have to give credit to the bowlers in the back end." India dominated the powerplay after winning the toss and electing to field, reducing New Zealand to 2-34 before three dropped catches let their opponents off the hook.

Seen here, Virat Kohli batting at the Cricket World Cup.
Virat Kohli continued his stunning batting form at the Cricket World Cup. Pic: Getty

India gifts New Zealand multiple reprieves

Ravindra survived two lbw reviews and even had a caught-behind decision against him overturned. India's Ravindra Jadeja also uncharteristically dropped a sitter at backward point, with Mitchell also enjoying his own share of good fortune. KL Rahul dropped him behind the stumps when on 59 and later Jasprit Bumrah put down a regulation catch in the deep.

New Zealand were cruising at 3-205 in the 37th over but collapsed in a heap after Shami dismissed Ravindra, managing just 54 runs in the last 10 for the loss of losing six wickets. Rohit gave India a flying start, smacking four sixes in his effortless knock, as the hosts raced to 71 for no loss in 10 overs.

Lockie Ferguson broke the stand with a wide delivery which Rohit dragged on to his stumps. In his next over, Ferguson cut short Shubman Gill's promising knock of 26.

India reached 2-100 in the 15th over when heavy fog caused low visibility, forcing the players off the pitch for a brief spell. When play resumed, Trent Boult bounced out Shreyas Iyer (33) and New Zealand dragged themselves back into the contest with the wickets of KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav, before Kohli and Jedeja steadied the ship to guide India home.

with AAP

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