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By Ishaan Kapoor — 5 August 2026 — 3 min read

Ajinkya Rahane has offered insights into what makes Virat Kohli a standout performer in limited-overs cricket, particularly during run chases. Rahane attributes Kohli’s success to his mental approach and strategic decision-making under pressure. This perspective was shared during an appearance on the Stick to Cricket podcast, where Rahane also reflected on his Test cricket partnership with Kohli.

Kohli is widely recognized for his ability to guide India to victory in high-pressure chase scenarios in One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) matches. Rahane noted that Kohli maintains composure even when the required run rate increases or wickets fall at the other end. His keen understanding of the game and his timing for aggressive play are key factors in his consistent performance.

Kohli’s Chasing Prowess

Kohli’s statistics when batting second are notable in the history of one-day cricket. He has consistently delivered match-winning innings when India has been tasked with chasing targets. He holds the record for the most centuries in successful ODI run chases, having reached three figures 22 times in victories while batting second. This achievement surpasses other prominent batters, including Sachin Tendulkar, who has 14 hundreds in winning chases, and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who recorded eight.

Rahane believes that Kohli’s primary strength lies not just in his technique but in his thought process during a chase. He mentioned attempting to uncover the secret behind Kohli’s success but noted that Kohli does not reveal his methods. Rahane described Kohli’s calculation as “fearless at times,” highlighting his ability to discern when to take risks.

Former England captain Alastair Cook also commended Kohli’s distinctive approach to chasing, observing his calculated risk-taking that appears risky but is not for him. Kohli’s consistency over more than fifteen years, maintaining high performance levels in chasing situations, is particularly remarkable. His chasing average across all chases remains significantly above his career average, suggesting a unique contribution to the chase irrespective of conditions or opposition.

Partnership in Test Cricket

Beyond limited-overs cricket, Rahane also discussed his strong bond and successful partnership with Kohli in Test cricket. Together, they have accumulated 3661 runs from 67 innings in the format. Rahane explained that their contrasting styles—Kohli’s aggressive nature and Rahane’s calm approach—complemented each other effectively, leading to many productive partnerships.

Positive and frank communication between them while batting was a crucial element in their success. Rahane shared these details during his conversation on the Stick to Cricket podcast, which also featured cricket figures like Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell, and David “Bumble” Lloyd.

Rahane also recounted a run-out incident involving Kohli during the first Test match against Australia in Adelaide in December 2020. Kohli was batting on 74 runs in the first innings when a miscommunication led to his run-out. India was subsequently bowled out for 36 runs in the second innings of that Test match. Rahane humorously recalled his instant reaction of calling for a run before realizing Josh Hazlewood was positioned to intercept the ball.

The camaraderie between Kohli and Rahane extends off the field. Following Rahane’s retirement from international cricket, Kohli shared a message on X, congratulating Rahane on his career and referring to him as his “favourite Test batting partner.” Kohli’s message highlighted Rahane’s contributions to Indian cricket and his reliable fielding in the slips. Their shared history in Test cricket includes scoring 3661 runs from 67 innings.

Source: sports.yahoo.com