IPL 2024: “No matter which bowler comes, he has reached a zone where there is no match-up” – Mohammad Kaif on Virat Kohli

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif said that Virat Kohli has reached a zone where no bowling match-up troubles him. Kohli has lifted his game against the spinners in the second phase of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024. 

Kohli has been in sensational form in the ongoing tournament while opening the innings for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The right-hander has amassed 661 runs in 13 matches at an average of 66.10 and a strike rate of 155.16 and thus he is the highest run-getter of the season.

Kohli has once again batted at the top of his game and he is going to hold the key for RCB when they take on the defending champions Chennai Super Kings in a must-win game.

Kaif compared Kohli with a monk, who is deep into his focused meditation.

“When a hermit goes to the Himalayas, he is in a different zone when he is meditating. Nothing distracts him. Whether there is a loud noise, someone shouts or cries, it doesn’t make a difference. Virat Kohli has reached that zone,” Kaif said on Star Sports.

“He is not seeing the scorecard and is just in his zone and concentrating. He knows the intent with which he needs to play no matter which bowler, whether it’s a fast bowler or a spinner, is in front of him. No matter which bowler comes, he has reached a zone where there is no match-up,” the former India batter added.

Kaif said Kohli wants his team to win at all costs and the passion with which he plays is palpable.

“He has come just to dominate. He has come with the passion that he will only be satisfied once he makes his team win, and that has been seen from the second match. In the first match against Chennai, he got out when he pulled a Fizz (Mutafizur Rahman) slower bouncer and (Ajinkya) Rahane took the catch,” he observed.

“From the second match against Punjab, he came determined. He was jumping down the track and hitting (Kagiso) Rabada and playing slog sweeps against spinners. You talk about the fourth or fifth gear but he has reached the 15th gear. No one will reach that level,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added.

Kohli will hold the key for RCB against CSK on Saturday.