The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Kohli’s composed century puts Delhi on top

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Kohli’s composed century puts Delhi on top

Special Correspondent

Mithun Manhas, Rajat Bhatia score half-centuries

— Photo: S. Subramanium

COMING OF AGE: Young Virat Kohli exhibited such fine temperament and skills that left spectators with little doubt of his potential as a batsman for the future.

NEW DELHI: He is just 19 but bats like an accomplished veteran. For Virat Kohli, a strapping lad with a fierce ambition that sets him apart from the rest, it was a day of reckoning in first-class cricket when he crafted a brilliant century that put Delhi on the course to plan a victory against Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy Elite league match here on Monday.

Not many witnessed Kohli’s performance at the Ferozeshah Kotla as Delhi, resuming at six for no loss, compiled a decent 317 for four — an overall lead of 351 runs with two days left. His 192-ball essay, with 18 fours, reconfirmed his potential as a batsman for the future.

“He batted beautifully,” conceded Rajasthan coach K.P. Bhaskar.

When Kohli took charge in the company of Aakash Chopra at 24 for two, the match was evenly balanced. “We were worried about this lad. He knows how to plan his innings,” said Bhaskar, who has followed Kohli’s progress at the National Cricket Academy.

Classy shotmaker

Kohli brings a touch of class with his penchant to drive the ball, especially against the spinners. It was so refreshing to see him step out and meet the ball with an assurance that grew as he spent time in the middle. Kohli was astute in his shot selection and prospered with some intelligent play, seeing off the seamers and feasting on the slow bowlers.

“Some of his shots were breathtaking. It was a chanceless innings and what I liked was his quality to play the right shots. I think after a long time Delhi has found a youngster who can develop into a batting mainstay,” said Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya.

Impressive strokes

Technically sound, Kohli’s range of strokes was impressive. He just took the game away from Rajasthan with his dominance. He studied the situation well and batted impeccably to produce an innings worthy of his talent. His association with Chopra was the base on which Delhi built its strong second innings, leaving Rajasthan staring at defeat.

Guiding Kohli in the middle was Mithun Manhas, who was unbeaten with a sensible 86 off 148 balls with ten fours while Rajat Bhatia cracked an undefeated 65 off 93 balls to carry Delhi to a position of immense strength.

Pankaj Singh again toiled for Rajasthan but he lacked support at the other end as Bhatia and Manhas added 123 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket.

The scores:

Delhi — 1st innings: 119.

Rajasthan — 1st innings: 85.

Delhi — 2nd innings: A. Chopra lbw b Manhas 32, S. Dhawan c Shafiq b Pankaj 14, P. Bisht c Jhalani b Pankaj 0, V. Kohli b Gehlot 106, M. Manhas (batting) 86, R. Bhatia (batting) 65, Extras (lb-5, nb-8, w-1) 14, Total (for four wkts in 90.3 overs) 317.

Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-24, 3-102, 4-194.

Rajasthan bowling: Pankaj Singh 23-7-84-2, S. Gehlot 21-4-77-1, M. Aslam 15-1-65-0, S. Mathur 18.3-7-43-1, R. Kanwat 10-0-34-0, G. Khoda 3-0-9-0.

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