"Batted outstandingly after coming in different entry points" - Irfan Pathan hails Team India star after IND vs SA 2025 ODI series

Former Indian seamer Irfan Pathan heaped praise on Virat Kohli for his adaptability to different situations following the Men in Blue's 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa. With the veteran Indian batter earning the Player of the Series award, Pathan said he looked comfortable throughout, no matter what his entry point was.

Kohli aggregated 302 runs in three games, averaging a mind-boggling 151, including scores of 135, 102, and 65*. While the 37-year-old arrived at the crease in the first 10 overs in the opening two games, the final match saw him come to bat after the halfway stage, with the game set up.

Speaking in a recent video uploaded on his YouTube channel 'Irfan Pathan,' the 41-year-old said there was no surprise over Kohli earning the Player of the Series award. Pathan also observed the veteran's striking ability despite arriving late in the final ODI.

"There was no surprise over Virat Kohli achieving the Player of the Series award. If South Africa had scored more runs, then a third century would have also come because he was unbeaten. We wish this was a five-game series. He has batted outstandingly after coming in different entry points. Kohli hit seven sixes in the first game and two in the second. His fitness was also top-notch," Pathan said.

"But his entry point was after the halfway stage in the third ODI and he still looked comfortable. For any top order batter, usually the challenge is the entry point being too late. Kohli is looking like a man on a mission, given his form. It is crucial for Indian cricket to have his form going," he added.

With 53 ODI centuries under Kohli's belt, any other cricketer is unlikely to surpass or get close to that number for a long time.

"Rohit Sharma showed the experience of adjusting with a different opener" - Irfan Pathan

As for Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan was impressed with the way the former Indian skipper guided Yashasvi Jaiswal, who initially struggled for rhythm. In the same video, Pathan said:

"On the other hand, Rohit Sharma looked upset due to missing his ton. But one thing is certain, given the way he is batting. When he steps down to a bowler, he pulls, defends and leaves. Ottneil Baartman was swinging the ball well so Rohit’s plan was to negate it. He is using his experience well. The way he supported Yashasvi Jaiswal was also important. Jaiswal doesn’t rotate the strike much, so Rohit showed patience."

"In the first ODI, he played only six balls out of 36 and got out early without getting much of a strike. Even here, he had played 6-8 deliveries when he had 12 runs under his belt. But Jaiswal was not getting much of a strike and it’s important for an opener to keep rotating the strike. So, Rohit showed the experience of adjusting with a different opener too," he concluded.

Although Rohit (75) missed his ton, Jaiswal reached his maiden one in ODIs and stayed unbeaten on 116 to guide India to a series victory.