‘Last 5-6 overs where he slowed down…..’ – Gautam Gambhir makes shocking remarks on Virat Kohli’s 49th ODI ton

Team India defeated South Africa in their recent clash on November 5 at Eden Gardens, registering a great victory over the in-form Proteas owing to the magnificent batting performances by India’s swashbuckling batsman Virat Kohli on his 35th birthday. However, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has talked about how important Virat Kohli’s inning against South Africa was in their last clash.

The well-renowed cricket commentator feels it was very important for the 35-year-old cricketer to take innings deep and bat till the ends to score the challenging total against strong visiting sides. In addition, the former India opener feels that Virat Kohli has slowed down his speed in his last five and six overs, as he was nearing the 49th ODI century on such a special occasion. Meanwhile, the former left-handed star feels Virat Kohli’s slow endings in his last game could have hurt India if the pitch was good.

“It was important for Kohli to bat deep and I feel it was at the end, just the last 5-6 overs where he slowed down a bit, maybe because he was nearing a century. But I believe there were already enough runs on the board. It could have hurt India if they were batting on a good pitch,” Gautam Gambhir said.

Shreyas Iyer kept taking chances and took the pressure off Virat Kohli: Gautam Gambhir

The 2011 ODI World Cup-winning star feels the credit should go to KKR Skipper Shreyas Iyer, as he was the one who took off the pressure from India’s batting legend Virat Kohli from the other end. Moreover, the top-order batsman lauded Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli’s partnership in the middle order that boosted India’s innings. Gautam Gambhir also lauded Ravindra Jadeja for his five-wicket haul.

“You got to give credit to Shreyas Iyer for the way he kept taking chances and took the pressure off Virat Kohli. Both batted really well in the middle as the best time to bat was with the new ball. They expertly negotiated Keshav Maharaj and giving him just one wicket when Jadeja picked five was brilliant,” he added further.