‘Bizarre at this age’: R Ashwin Marvels at Virat Kohli’s Relentless Intensity
Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped rich praise on Virat Kohli, calling his energy levels “bizarre” for his age while emphasizing that the Indian cricket stalwart continues to lead by example even after stepping away from T20 Internationals.
Kohli marked his return to franchise T20 cricket with a dominant performance, smashing an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a decisive six-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The knock highlights his enduring form following his ICC T20 World Cup triumph and subsequent international retirement in the shortest format.
Setting the Benchmark at the Crease
Ashwin was struck by Kohli’s approach and high intensity at the crease. Speaking on a recent broadcast, the veteran off-spinner highlighted how Kohli consistently sets the benchmark for modern cricketers.
“He walks the talk,” Ashwin stated. “It is almost like he is putting on a show for people to see how the game should be played – play it hard and play it the way it is meant to be played.”
Kohli’s innings demonstrated his consistency across formats. His aggressive yet calculated stroke play against SRH mirrored his recent prolific run in One Day Internationals.
Match Statistics: Virat Kohli vs SRH
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 69 (Not Out) |
| Balls Faced | 38 |
| Strike Rate | 181.58 |
| Result | RCB won by 6 wickets |
Unmatched Running Between the Wickets
What stood out most for Ashwin was Kohli’s unmatched intensity between the wickets, a hallmark of his career that remains undiminished.
“I find him quite bizarre at this age. I tell him this during our chats,” Ashwin revealed. He recalled a specific moment from the recent run chase that epitomized Kohli’s hunger for runs.
“He was batting on 40-odd, RCB were coasting, and he ran through for a single. He stopped, and before the other batter had reached halfway, he was already looking for a second,” Ashwin observed.
- Enduring Hunger: Pushing for extra runs even with shorter boundaries.
- Elite Fitness: Maintaining sprint speeds comparable to players a decade younger.
- Leadership by Action: Demanding high standards from batting partners.
Praise for Jacob Duffy’s Impact
Beyond Kohli’s masterclass, Ashwin analyzed the broader tactical success of RCB, praising New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy for his match-defining spell. Duffy set the tone with the ball, recovering well from early setbacks to execute the team’s strategies.
“When Duffy was picked, I said it was an amazing choice. He is right in the prime of his career,” Ashwin noted. “Tactically, RCB were superior and he executed those plans beautifully.”
Despite Duffy’s impressive bowling performance, the spotlight remained firmly on Kohli. His relentless drive, physical conditioning, and elite shot execution continue to defy age and expectations in the Indian Premier League.