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"A player aged 37, jumps 9 meters": Irfan Pathan calls out Virat Kohli critics after latest century

Akshita Patel

Irfan Pathan on Virat Kohli's ODI form [Source: @ImTanujSingh, @ironix269/X.com]Irfan Pathan on Virat Kohli's ODI form [Source: @ImTanujSingh, @ironix269/X.com]

Virat Kohli, in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur, scored another brilliant century, his 84th international hundred. The 37-year-old showed class, control, and hunger that left Irfan Pathan in awe.

In the first inning, Kohli slammed 102 off 93 balls, which included seven fours and two sixes. Not only that, but even in the first ODI, Kohli hit 135 off 120 balls.

His return to form has come at the age of 37, and Kohli’s fitness has forced Irfan Pathan to stand and take notice.

Irfan Pathan applauds Virat Kohli’s fitness

Meanwhile, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan was full of praise for Virat Kohli. 

He spoke about Kohli’s amazing fitness and energy, saying that even at 37, the way he celebrates and moves on the field shows his focus has not dropped at all. 

"We need to talk about Virat Kohli. A player aged 37, the way his fitness is, scoring back-to-back centuries, it shows in the way he jumps to celebrate. He jumps approximately 9 meters, showing what kind of focus he has. He started with two ducks in Australia but has scored at least 50 runs in the next three innings. After a knock of 74 runs in Australia, he has scored back-to-back tons," Pathan said in his YouTube video.

Pathan pointed out that Kohli even jumped around nine meters during his celebration, which shows his passion and intensity for the game are still very much alive.

What made Kohli’s knock special in Raipur was his intelligence. He understood that the pitch was different compared to the previous match. 

"The challenge was different here. He understood that the pitch is slightly different here and had to play cautiously. Kohli started with a six but played cautiously whenever the ball was pitched outside off-stump. What we are seeing regularly with Kohli is that he is stepping out to fast bowlers and has plenty of time. When Kohli bats, it feels like he has plenty of time," he added.

While he had played an aggressive knock of 135 in Ranchi, this time he chose a more careful and controlled approach. He picked his shots wisely, took singles and doubles, and waited for the right balls to attack.

Pathan explains how Kohli changed his plans

Interestingly, Irfan Pathan also spoke about Kohli’s timing. He said that when Virat Kohli steps out to fast bowlers, it feels like he has all the time in the world. 

"When bowlers' gameplan changes, he also comes up with a new gameplan. He has the answer to every plan from South Africa. In the previous match, there was an off-spinner, and we saw a left-arm spinner in this game. He countered him well."

One moment that stood out was his six off Marco Jansen’s short ball. According to Pathan, very few batters in the world could have played that shot with such ease.

"He kept waiting for the ball to be pitched up, and there is also his backfoot game, taking singles and doubles effectively. Overall, his century celebrations show the old Virat Kohli has returned. The way he celebrates a wicket also shows he is back. On that aspect, it's a major positive for India in ODIs."

Even though Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad scored centuries, India could not defend the big total of 358. 

South Africa’s Aiden Markram played a stunning innings, while Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke also contributed with important fifties. The Proteas successfully chased down the target, levelling the three-match series 1-1.