IND vs WI Series: Captaincy burden gone, check how Virat Kohli is ‘loving’ net practice & fielding session – See pics

IND vs WI Series: Virat Kohli 71st century loading? – It has been a long wait for Virat Kohli to get to the 71st century. Kohli relinquished captaincy duty to focus on batting and the big hundred could be coming against West Indies in India’s historic 1000th ODI. Ahead of the first ODI in Ahmedabad, Kohli “loved” every moment of net practice and will aim to end his two-year drought in scoring a century. Follow India’s 1000th ODI Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.

Coincidentally, Virat Kohli’s last ODI century came against West Indies back in 2019, taking his tally to 70, just third person in cricket. With that, he also inched closer to breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 centuries. But the wait for the 44th ODI century grew longer.

IND vs WI Series: Captaincy burden gone, check how Virat Kohli is ‘loving’ net practice & fielding session – See pics

Also Read: IND vs WI Series: After Ishan Kishan, Shahrukh Khan added to squad for 1st ODI, Mayank Agarwal & KL Rahul unavailable

IND vs WI Series: Captaincy burden gone, check how Virat Kohli is ‘loving’ net practice & fielding session – See pics

Now that he is free of the captaincy burden, he has looked in good touch once again. Against South Africa, Kohli slammed two half-centuries and looked in touch to get the 71st but the ODI series could be it.

IND vs WI Series: Why Virat Kohli could end the century drought in WI series?

• No captaincy burden

Virat Kohli has been lifted off from the captaincy burden from all three formats. He is likely to use the situation to focus on his batting. He can also reinstate his name at the top when it comes to run chases. He won’t have to work on anything except batting & fielding apart from crucial advice to Rohit Sharma only at times when required.

Also Read: IND vs WI: Rohit Sharma in debut PC as full-time captain, says, ‘Ishan Kishan to open, Virat Kohli knows what’s needed from him’- Follow LIVE updates

 

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• Back in form

Virat Kohli has been in brilliant form. He scored a couple of half-centuries against South Africa down under to begin his post-era captaincy career. He will now look to convert his 50s into 100s at sub-continent conditions in the West Indies series and upcoming Tests against Sri Lanka.

• West Indies lucky charm?

Virat Kohli had smashed his last ODI century against West Indies in August 2019. He can break his jinx against Men in Maroon at home. He has scored 2235 runs in 39 matches against West Indies which comprises record 9 centuries. He will be eyeing 1st ton in Ahmedabad.

IND vs WI Series: Captaincy burden gone, check how Virat Kohli is ‘loving’ net practice & fielding session – See pics

IND vs WI Series: Records that Kohli can break 

• Virat Kohli is currently placed third in the list of most international centuries.
• He has scored 70 tons across all formats and is just one shy of equalling Ricky Ponting’s century tally.
• With an international century eluding the former Indian captain for two years now he will be eager to score one in the upcoming series and reach the second spot.
• If he manages to score two tons in this three-match ODI series, he will surpass Ricky Ponting and will only be behind Sachin Tendulkar, who has 100 tons to his name.

IND vs WI Series: Captaincy burden gone, check how Virat Kohli is ‘loving’ net practice & fielding session – See pics