Virat Kohli is a special talent and the next big thing in Indian cricket: Sourav Ganguly

Sri Lanka were up against a side which has players, who on their day can win games on their own in the sub-continent, and one such batsman is Virat Kohli, Sourav Ganguly writes in a column in Hindustan Times, adding that, he’s made an unbelievable impact at the No 3 spot and it’s a joy to watch the way he wins games on his own.

“He is a special talent and if he keeps his head on the shoulders, he could be the next big thing in Indian cricket. India were in some bother at 60 for three and the game could have gone either way, but Virat, along with Manoj Tiwary and Suresh Raina, dominated the Sri Lanka attack. It’s not about getting a hundred, it’s about the class and quality, which was the hallmark of his batting. Virat’s decisive footwork and adaptability will stand him good,” writes the former captain, adding that it’s been a good series for Raina too.

“He has this tremendous gift of finding the boundaries and hopefully he keeps improving from here on.”

Meanwhile Virat Kohli said his team will remain focussed on getting a hat-trick of wins when it takes the field in the fifth and final ODI against Sri Lanka here on Saturday, says a report in The Hindu.

Kohli’s tremendous run against Sri Lanka continued on Tuesday where he notched up his 13th ODI century to help India successfully chase the 251 and take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

India won the last two games played here each time chasing a target in excess of 250. “If we can win three in a row it will be wonderful for us. Our game is as consistent as it can be,” said Kohli.

Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh, who is recuperating well from a rare germ cell cancer played a practice match for the first time since his return to field scoring 47 for KSCA XI against India U-19 team which is gearing up for the Youth World Cup, says a report in The Times Of India.

Although it was “purely a practice match” as termed by one of the KSCA officials, Yuvraj, who is among the 30-member probables for the World Twenty20 scored 47 off 70 balls hitting a couple of boundaries and a six in the process.

“Finally played my first practice game after 8 months! Got 47 of 70 balls bowled 5 overs fielded 30 overs! Not bad for a start !!,” Yuvraj tweeted after the match.