Cricket: Kohli key prize for Black Caps bowlers

Virat Kohli celebrates reaching his hundred in Napier. Photo Getty
Virat Kohli celebrates reaching his hundred in Napier. Photo Getty
"Maybe we can leave the openers in there so he only comes in later on."

That was Ross Taylor's tongue-in-cheek reaction to Virat Kohli's expected impact on the remainder of the New Zealand-India one-day international series, the second match of which is in Hamilton today.

Kohli shone with 123 from 111 balls in New Zealand's 24-run win at Napier. The bowlers must have had moments where it felt like delivering the ball into a trampoline. Even the 25-year-old's dismissal was a drive which would have left a vapour trail had Jesse Ryder not been parked at cover.

That catch was the defining moment that ended Kohli's extraordinary record in which India had won in each of the previous 11 ODIs he'd made a second innings ton.

"He's a world-class player and has been for a long time," Taylor said.

"I played with Virat at Bangalore [in the Indian Premier League] and he was an outstanding talent, as he has been since. I've watched his progress - he's not far from greatness - he looks good even when he scores runs against you."

Unlike Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who got out hooking or pulling, Kohli didn't appear fazed by a peppering from short balls at McLean Park. Often the demise of those deliveries could be heard later echoing off the boundary hoardings. That's the risk with such a bowling tactic.

Mitchell McClenaghan proved a favourite, steered through the legside for three boundaries and 17 runs. But Kohli took the same numbers off the left-armer through the offside for a sum of 34 runs from 25 balls.

He also drove Adam Milne's fastest delivery (153.4km/h) straight for four. Dealing with pace and bounce wasn't a problem, nor did he wilt at sprays of bowling vitriol, preferring to stare back unblinking before letting his bat reply.

The slower wicket predicted in Hamilton and inclement weather might prove a different test, particularly through the spinners - and if the pace bowlers offer further variations like slower balls. Kohli is the prize victim for any bowler this series.

- Andrew Alderson of the Herald on Sunday

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