Virat Kohli chases down NZ in 2023 World Cup, fans call him the best ODI batter ever

It was another Virat Kohli masterclass in chasing as India defeated New Zealand by four wickets on Sunday, October 22 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala in their 2023 World Cup match.

India was in trouble while chasing 274, despite controlling the chase for the majority of the time. A terrible mix-up between Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav resulted in the latter being run out, leaving the hosts at 191/5 with little batting to follow after Ravindra Jadeja.

Virat Kohli, on the other hand, did what he does well. He withstood the strain, milked the singles and twos, and spotted the fence whenever the opportunity presented itself. A 49th ODI century seemed on the cards, but he was out for 95 from 104 deliveries before Jadeja blasted the winning runs.

Fans were stunned when Virat Kohli delivered another superb innings in a difficult chase to help the hosts win the 2023 World Cup for the fifth time in a row.

Here’s how they responded on X:

Wasn't a hundred, but a good innings from Kohli nevertheless. It was the innings that the team needed especially when Shreyas was dismissed.

— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) October 22, 2023

Destiny’s child – Virat Kohli. The man is living a fairy tale. What an incredible knock once again. I wish he had got that 100. Champion.

— Danish Sait (@DanishSait) October 22, 2023

It wasn't to be tonight, but time and again, #ViratKohli???? reminds us why he's simply the best we've ever laid eyes on. Been batting out of his skin this #ICCCricketWorldCup, setting expectations to a metronomic consistency only he can match and exceed. Nobody else. #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/TWiEmRL87O

— Sathvik Bharadwaj (@ayebonda) October 22, 2023

The chase master has done it again. Take a bow Virat. A clinical chase under tricky conditions.

No century, no problem, but yet another memorable knock. Thank you for making another Sunday, a special one!#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/ZTxk7GFk3r

— Cricketologist (@AMP86793444) October 22, 2023

Virat Kohli is the Zidane of cricket. What a player! It's as if a deep learning chip has been installed in his brain, allowing him to make such calculated moves.

— zoya malik (@ZoyiMalik) October 22, 2023

I had said in a documentary some years ago that I thought Kohli was often lost in his own perfection. Today, as I watched, I found myself lost in Kohli's perfection.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 22, 2023

End of a stupendous knock from the chase master. The greatest to ever grace this format

— tea_addict ???????? (@on_drive23) October 22, 2023

There is only one king ???? that is ruling the cricket world right now and his name is Virat Kohli. Another match winning innings in a world cup game against kiwis.#INDvsNZpic.twitter.com/nuhL5VoOTV

— Mustafa Masood Qureshi (@mustafamasood23) October 22, 2023

India continue their unbeaten run in the World Cup with fifth consecutive win

India and New Ze­aland faced each other in a highly anticipate­d match during the 2023 World Cup. Both teams ente­red the contest unde­feated, see­king their fifth consecutive victory.

Daryl Mitchell (130) and Rachin Ravindra (75) rescued New Zealand early on with a 159-run partnership. However, they went astray after that. In his opening encounter of the competition, Mohammed Shami took his third five-wicket haul in ODIs as the Blackcaps were bowled out for 273.

In response, Rohit Sharma (46) set India off to another flying start. Shubman Gill (26) became the fastest player in ODI history to break the 2000-run milestone.

Once they were gone, and Shreyas Iyer (35) also lost his wicket, it was up to Virat Kohli to lead the team home. He controlled his innings wonderfully, playing out Mitchell Santner’s left-arm spin before picking up the speed at the proper time.

Jadeja was undefeated on 39 off 44 deliveries and had the last word by pulling a Matt Henry ball behind square. Shami was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance with the ball.

India is currently the only unbeaten team in the 2023 World Cup, with a six-day break before facing reigning champions England on Sunday, October 29 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.