Graeme Smith praises Kohli, but also raises a question on his future performances

Indian captain Virat Kohli has been in the most consistent and best form of his life since the past few months, especially in the on-going limited-overs series between India and South Africa. The 29-year-old was the highest run-scorer for the Indian team in the six-match ODI series which the visitors won 5-1. This was also India’s first ever bilateral series win in the Rainbow Nation, which came under Kohli’s captaincy. The run-machine also completed 35 ODI centuries during the series.

Smith’s intriguing question 

India didn’t begin their South Africa tour on a high, losing the three-match Test series 2-1. But their comeback in the limited-overs series had critics turning into fans. The latest to join the bandwagon of praising team India’s performances is former South Africa captain Graeme Smith.

However, while heaping rich praises for the Indian captain, Smith also raised an interesting question about him, the answer to which only time will tell. In an interview with Cricinfo, Smith expressed his doubt over Kohli’s form when the team as a whole doesn’t deliver in the matches. Can Kohli perform well without any support, asked the cricketer turned commentator.

“His own game has been incredible. He’s led from the front, he’s given India the mindset that they can play away from home, that they want to be here and in tough conditions. That is key and he’s led the way. As long as India stay on top, he’s going to be hugely successful. I think the challenge for him as India’s best player is if India get under pressure for a long period of time, how would that affect his batting? But at the moment he is looking sublime,” Smith was quoted as saying.

The answer to Smith’s question can be given only when Kohli rises to the occasion as the lone saviour. But for now, let us not assume that his performances will be affected when batting under pressure, and let us enjoy the era of the batting maestro.