Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir recently praised Virat Kohli’s iconic knock of 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup, calling it the best One Day International (ODI) innings he has ever witnessed. In an exclusive chat ahead of India’s upcoming Test series, Gambhir and Kohli reflected on their journey in Indian cricket and discussed the team’s preparation for the red-ball season.
Gautam Gambhir Lauds Virat Kohli for His Knock Against Pakistan
The two Delhi-born cricketers, who share a long history together, spoke candidly about Kohli’s early years in the Indian team. Gambhir, a veteran during Kohli’s debut, recalled the youngster’s crucial knocks in his initial matches. “I saw you making your debut. You played a very important knock in the Champions Trophy in South Africa, on a tricky wicket, against West Indies. But for me, the best ODI innings by an Indian came in 2012,” Gambhir said.
The head coach praised Kohli’s 183-run innings against Pakistan, which helped India chase down a daunting target of 330 runs. Despite several players having scored double hundreds in ODI cricket, Gambhir highlighted Kohli’s ability to dismantle Pakistan’s bowling attack under pressure as what made the knock stand out. “It’s not just about the runs. It’s the quality of the opposition and the situation. Chasing over 300 against Pakistan, that’s what made it special,” Gambhir added.
In the match, while Gambhir was dismissed for a duck, Kohli’s spectacular innings guided India to a six-wicket victory. Reflecting on Kohli’s contribution to Indian cricket, Gambhir remarked, “You have come a long way since then, and more importantly, you’ve left a legacy for the next generation to follow.”
India, after a disappointing ODI series against Sri Lanka, will now shift focus to red-ball cricket with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 19 in Chennai.
