YUVTHA SPORTS

YUVTHA SPORTS-VIRAT GIFTED PLAYER TO INDIA

No doubt VIRAT played anchor role for India in World T20 Cup Tournament this year taking India to Finals with his classic batting And a brilliant knocks in Semi Finals and Finals but I think he really Disappointed giving the Cup to Sri Lanka this Time. VIRAT was the unanimous choice of the select group of cricket experts following his exceptional form with the bat and scoring more than 300 plus runs in this tournament averaging 105.33 and four half centuries. His Match winning 72 against South Africa in the semifinals mesmerised cricket pundits and fans.

VIRAT MATURING LIKE A WINE

VIRAT lets his bat do the talking most times. India after defeated South Africa in the Semi Final Match the dashing batsman gave plenty of insight into how much he has matured When Virat exploded onto the International scene , he was described as Arrogant and one who had a lot of attitude. In a sport where every moment of ta star's life is under scrutiny, Virat has been scanned for every minute detail. His mannerisms were watched, his body language was analyised and when he showed his middle finger to the crowd in Sydney Test 2 years ago he was criticized.
Such mannerism come naturally for a player whose expressions are not limited to just wielding the bat. Yet the maturity which one sees from Virat these days is admirable. The way he has fashioned incredible chases for India in the ODI's is well known. But the solid batting he Has exhibited in Bangladesh has caught the eye. By Virat's own admission,this tournament has seen the rise of three spinners which helped India win the matches. Virat mentioned all this On Friday and played down his own contribution.
Yet. For someone who has scored three halfcenturies in this WorldCup It is definitely something to feel proud of. The way Virat paced his Knock against South Africa was worth watching. There was not a single Boundary in his first 20 runs as he showed the importance of taking the Singles and rotating the strike. As the innings progressed and Virat started putting pressure on the South African bowling even someone like Dale Steyn wilted and Finally when Virat hit the winning boundary, it signaled another super effort. Someone like Virat who has scored 19 ODI hundreds,wouldn't really care to rate each innings. That he picked his 72 on South Africa as his best knock in the T20 format wwas not without reason. Given the kind of pressure on the Indian team, Which has not done well on away tours, it was important to get past the Proteas.
In the past, Virat has been seen as someone in a hurry, wanting to finish off a match. Whether it is the sheer experience of playing plenty of cricket or growing more mature, Virat now bats not just for the thrill but to script a win in a solid manner. Again , he gave credit to the openers Rohit Sharma and Rahane for a good start on South Africa and also spoke of how the Indian bowling has performed well in the tournament. As regards his preparation for big matches. Virat talked of how he prepares and does not bat too long at nets.

The common belief is that a batsman likes a long session at the nets so that he can middle the ball well and get a feel. Virat says he does not believe in a long stay but the emphasis is more on the feel good factor. What does that mean,one may wonder? In Virat's language the Feel good is getting into nets, striking just ten balls from the middle of the bat and then going back to the dressing room Satisfied. Not all cricketers offer an insight into their preparation. The Mental part plays a big role in any sport and Virat obviously knows which shot to play and what shot selection is about. The average fan knows he can really tonk the ball hard, but even in the T20 format, there is room for pacing your knock. When skipper Dhoni allowed Virat to score the winning runs, It was a nice gesture. Such actions reflect good team spirit and how the star batsman of the team is made to feel so important. To be sure, Virat is not a batsman who scores for himself. He Realizes whenever India is chasing a win, his role is important, as just this one man can make the difference between winning and losing. For the younger generation of cricketers like Unmukt Chand, Virat is the ultimate role model, not Sachin Tendulkar or Rahul Dravid. The ability to play matchwinning knocks so regularly and absorb pressure like a sponge makes Virat the most special thing in Indian Cricket. S. KANNAN(INDIATODAY)