5 reasons why Virat Kohli is the best ODI batsman at the moment 

Virat Kohli has been performing brilliantly well for Indian Cricket in all formats. In 50 over format, the captain has created a new benchmark, scoring his 35th ODI century in the recently concluded 6 match ODI series against South Africa. During the ODI series against South Africa, Kohli scored 558 runs with 3 centuries. Virat Kohli can be regarded as the best batsmen in ODI cricket at the moment with his skills, fitness and know how to handle pressure.

Virat Kohli is the current number 1 ranked batsman in ODI cricket. He became the first player to score 500 runs or more in a bilateral series.

In the year 2017, Kohli was the top scorer in ODI cricket with 1460 runs in 26 matches. He made 6 centuries and 7 half centuries with the highest score of 131 runs.

Here are 5 reasons why Virat Kohli is the best batsman at the moment.

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#1 Incredible consistency

Virat Kohli 35th ODI century

Virat Kohli has shown remarkable consistency in One-Day International cricket at the moment. In the 6 match ODI series against South Africa, the Indian captain scored 558 runs in 6 matches with 3 centuries and helped team India win matches with his brilliant skills. In ODI cricket so far, Kohli has scored 35 centuries in 208 matches. He makes batting look easy and plays with a positive intent to put pressure on the opposition bowlers.

His average in ODI cricket comes is 58.10 which shows incredible consistency and hunger to score runs for the country.

#2 Ability to chase down big scores

Virat Kohli 112 against South Africa at Durban

Virat Kohli knows how to chase down big scores in ODI cricket. Out of 35 centuries in ODI cricket, 19 have come in a winning effort while chasing. Kohli made 30 centuries as India won most of the matches. His ability to put pressure on the opposition bowlers and bat according to the situation makes him a match winner for team India.

In the first ODI against South Africa at Durban, India needed 270 runs to win, Kohli played a captains knock of 112 runs and helped the Men in Blue registered their first win at Durban.

#3 Maturity after becoming ODI captain

Kohli against England in 2017

Since taking the role of full-time captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2017, Virat Kohli's performance in ODI cricket has reached a new height. He has scored 2739 runs in 48 matches (45 innings) with an average of 80.55 at a strike rate of 98.10. While he was not the captain, Kohli made 6720 runs in 159 matches (154 innings) with an average of 51.29.

He played a captain's knock during the recently concluded 6 match ODI series against South Africa. In the first ODI at Durban, he made 112, in the 3rd ODI he made 160* and in the final ODI at Centurion, he remained not out on 129.

#4 Fitness level

Kohli's dive against SA

Virat Kohli's fitness level as a player and captain has gone up. While playing long innings, he takes quick singles and puts pressure on the opposition with his running between wickets. His ability to remain alert to the situation makes him one of the best batsmen in ODI cricket at the moment.

Kohli has taken India to the number 1 ranking in test matches, ODI cricket and if they win two more matches against South Africa in the T20I series, then, the Men in Blue will become the number 1 ranked team in the shorter format as well.

#5 Knows how to handle pressure

Virat Kohli while chasing

The Indian captain Virat Kohli has a habit of handling pressure situations very well. He makes batting look easy and the opposition bowlers look ordinary.

During big chases, the number 1 ranked ODI batsman in the world shows his class by breaking targets into small ones and does not allow pressure to seep in. If Kohli can continue the same trend, he can break Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 centuries in ODI cricket.