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[Watch] Babar Azam Ignored as Shaheen Afridi Applauds Virat Kohli's Cover-Drive

image-lnoe8lr2Kohli playing cover-drive [Twitter]

Indian teammates and prominent opposition cricketers applauded Virat Kohli as the master of the cover drive at the sidelines of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023, where he has been in spectacular form with half-centuries in league fixtures against Australia and Afghanistan. 

The former India skipper and modern-day legend is famous for his trademark cover drive and was raved over for the extravagant stroke by teammates Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav.

Also part of the brigade to express respect and adulation for Kohli's cover drive were overseas limited-overs giants Mitchell Marsh Sam Curran, Rashid Khan, Devon Conway, Adam Zampa Glenn Phillips and Moeen Ali. They all took turns to appreciate the greatness of the man's signature shot played over the years at the international stage.

Interestingly, Pakistan left-arm seamer, Shaheen Afridi also picked Virat Kohli's cover-drive and ignored his teammate and captain, Babar Azam, who is also a master of the famous stroke.

Prominent World Cup Players Admire Virat Kohli's Cover Drive 

In a special interaction with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for an Instagram clip posted by the governing body on Friday (October 13), these famous cricketers took time out to underline their admiration for Kohli's masterful cover-drive stroke. 

The players were asked which batter comes to mind upon hearing the word 'cover-drive' and Kohli's teammates and opposition counterparts wasted no time in affirming their great love and excitement to watch the legend impose himself on bowling attacks with his trademark stroke.

A predominant frontfoot player, Kohli's cover drive is mighty popular amongst the fans and international cricketers, including teammates part of the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side and foreign players featuring at the World Cup 2023. 

Since Kohli stands a foot outside the crease before entering a full-fledged forward press for the full-pitched deliveries, his cover drives create a dramatic arc and posture that act as a lasting memory for the stroke. 

The shot entails risk at times, especially when seamers move the ball late off the full-length delivery, but Kohli's execution percentage of the stroke runs quite high and it has been an integral part of his range and game plan in the middle across all formats.