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Hayden recollected Tendulkar’s marvelous innings at Sydney in 2004, where he curbed his tendency to flash outside the off stump, and lauded the legendary batter for his determination. The Aussie opined Kohli has the personality to mimic such a performance.
Virat Kohli. (AP Photo)
Australian great Matthew Hayden suggested Virat Kohli take a leaf out of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s book as the legendary Indian batter navigated his way through a lean patch by curbing his tendency to flash at deliveries outside the off-stump.
During the 2004 tour of Australia, Tendulkar contained his urge to play his trademark off-side drives for the entire 613 minutes he spent at the crease at the Sydney Cricket Ground to produce a splendid 241-run knock.
“There could have been magnificent wins, there could have been losses, there could have been spinning conditions, I mean, you can list off a hundred different areas where Virat Kohli, over his magnificent career, would have batted,” Hayden began.
“But in Melbourne, he’s going to have a good batting track,” he continued.
“What he does need to do is find a way to continue staying at the crease. Flashing outside the off-stump is something that he’s going to have to resist,” Hayden added.
“And I suggest – he gets in line with the ball a bit more and looks to play down the ground a little bit more,” the southpaw elucidated.
Hayden recollected Tendulkar’s iconic unbeaten 241 innings during the 2004 Sydney Test as an example of absolute determination and self-restraint.
“I know Kohli has a magnificent cover driver, but so did Sachin Tendulkar, and he put it away for a day. I sat in the gully licking my lips, thinking, you know what, this is magnificent, stubborn batting,” Hayden recollected memories of the masterful innings.
“I didn’t look like getting a catch that day, and yet I felt like I was in the game that entire series,” he reminisced.
Hayden went on to laud Tendulkar for his determination and grit to come up with such a sparkling innings during a tough phase, and opined Kohli has the personality to mimic such a performance.
“So, Sachin put away the cover drive, worked his way into the innings, hit off his legs beautifully, took on the spin, and addressed the areas of concern,” Hayden continued.
“He put a big cross through them and said, ‘Not on my watch today.’”
“Virat Kohli has got that personality, and I’m sure we’ll see it in Melbourne,” the legendary Aussie stated.
