Sunil Gavaskar believes Virat Kohli keeps an expertise in chasing target

Expressing his disappointment at India’s underwhelming batting display in the third ODI against Windies, Sunil Gavaskar went on to state that Virat Kohli credibility in international cricket hasn’t been because of his affinity to score tons of runs but for the sheer timing of it. 

"In a terrific turnaround, the Windies stunned India to win the third ODI at Pune and level the series. Despite skipper Virat Kohli’s third consecutive century, India fell well short of the Windies total. The reason why Virat Kohli is the No 1 ranked batsman in the world is not just for the mountain of runs he scores but the situations he scores them in." Gavaskar stated. 

"Chasing a big target is never easy for the asking rate is not only high to start with but can go up with a few quiet overs or when wickets fall," he wrote in TOI. 

Gavaskar also stated that Kohli’s speciality is big chases, which makes him the great batsman, compared to ones who score freely batting first.

"Most batsmen who score big when batting first when the flow is on and there is little pressure, fumble when batting second and the scoring rate is at the back of their mind every single delivery. This is where Kohli is special for it is in big chases that his full repertoire of shots is seen and the way he paces the innings. So when rating batsmen it is how many runs they get in a big chase or in the knockout stages of a tournament that should be the main criteria. Kohli is on top there, and leaves everyone behind."

Gavaskar seconded Kohli’s opinions after the third ODI stating that while Windies had a decent start, India should have done better with the bowling after reducing the side to just three wickets with the score lesser than 250. However, India let the visitors have a late partnership that eventually changed the course of the game.

"The Windies were magnificent in the middle overs of their innings when the stylish Shai Hope and the skipper Jason Holder were batting together. Then in the final overs Ashley Nurse played enterprisingly to get them the additional runs that made it imperative for India to get a good start.

"The series is now well poised and India know they have a fight on their hands and they will have to lift their game if they are to justify their higher ranking," quoted Gavaskar.