India vs Australia | Virat Kohli’s innings in Ranchi was truly remarkable, says Matthew Hayden

Team India fell to their first defeat in the ongoing five-match ODI series against Australia on Friday at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi. Usman Khawaja starred for the visitors as they registered a mammoth score of 313/5 at the end of the first innings. In reply to that, the home team fell short of the target by 32 runs as the majority of the Indian batting order failed to live up to the challenge.

While the top order crumbled under pressure, Indian skipper Virat Kohli once again stepped up and took control of the innings mid-way through the second innings. Kohli registered his second century of the series as he went on to score 123 off just 95 deliveries which ultimately went in vain.

However, the 30-year old batsman did enough to impress former Aussie opener, Matthew Hayden. The towering Australian was left awestruck after Kohli scored his 41st century in ODI cricket.

"Absolutely staggering. I am trying to think back, check the memory banks of brilliant players over the years. Maybe Brian Lara in his heyday, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly all these players have been on top of their game at various points in one-day cricket. But Virat Kohli is doing it so easy. He is drifting away to a hundred. Not only that, just the way he is transcending every game seems to be a different performance.

"Tonight, on a better wicket, he made it look so easy. He does play out of his skin. It was outstanding, no area was untouched. We all know, he loves playing through the mid-wicket area but tonight he played some cut shots and took on the spinners. It was just a remarkable innings, can't say anything more than that. I think he has always got the great energy and the intent and he's got the fitness to be able to do it. It's almost like one performance leads to the next. His tempo is incredible. We saw the likes of Vijay that had an opportunity to bat with him. That's only going to be good for India ahead of the World Cup," Hayden told Star Sports after Australia's win on Friday.

Following Kohli's dismissal, India struggled for momentum and were eventually bowled out for 281 in 48.2 overs. The Indian skipper himself said he was disappointed with the way he got out but admitted that his innings last night was one of his "finest knocks" in terms of hitting.

"In terms of hitting the ball, it was one of my finest hundreds. I just felt really clear in my head from ball one. Even after three wickets I thought I should play my game and not think of what happens if I play my shots. I was very disappointed when I got out. I really thought we had a chance with the difference being 20 between balls and runs. Australia played better on the day," Kohli added.

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