Table of Contents
- Why KL Rahul Praises Virat Kohli’s Singles
- The Lost Art of Strike Rotation in Modern ODI Cricket
- Virat Kohli Singles: A Statistical Masterclass
- How This Impacts India vs South Africa 2025
- Conclusion: The Quiet Power of a Single
- Sources
In a world obsessed with sixes and boundaries, one of cricket’s most potent weapons is often overlooked: the humble single. Ahead of the high-stakes ODI series against South Africa, stand-in captain KL Rahul has shone a spotlight on this very skill, calling Virat Kohli a “master” of it. But why is the ability to find a gap and take a single so vital for Team India right now? And what can his younger teammates truly learn from the legend?
Why KL Rahul Praises Virat Kohli’s Singles
The return of both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the ODI squad has been met with immense relief in the Indian camp. After a recent Test series loss, the team is eager for a turnaround, and the experience of these two veterans is seen as the perfect antidote . KL Rahul, who will lead the side in the absence of a permanent captain, has been vocal about the calming influence their presence brings to the dressing room .
But Rahul’s praise goes beyond just their leadership. He specifically highlighted Kohli’s technical mastery. “Having the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma back in the team makes the dressing room feel confident,” Rahul stated, emphasizing that their strategic understanding of the game is invaluable .
His most telling insight, however, was about the Virat Kohli singles strategy. Rahul noted that taking singles is just as important as hitting boundaries in the modern game . In a format where momentum can stall after a few dot balls, Kohli’s relentless ability to keep the scoreboard ticking is a masterclass in pressure management and partnership building.
The Lost Art of Strike Rotation in Modern ODI Cricket
In today’s T20-influenced era, many batters are programmed to attack from ball one. While this can be highly effective, it often leads to a high-risk approach that can backfire, especially in the crucial middle overs of an ODI (overs 11-40). This is where strike rotation becomes a superpower.
Strike rotation is the art of finding the gaps in the field to take a single or a two, preventing the bowler from settling into a rhythm and ensuring that both batters get a chance to face the strike. It’s a skill that keeps the opposition on the back foot, forces them to constantly adjust their field placements, and drains their energy.
Virat Kohli, in particular, has elevated this to an art form. His incredible hand-eye coordination, quick feet, and laser-focused intent allow him to nudge, glide, and whip the ball into the tiniest of spaces consistently . This isn’t just about scoring; it’s about controlling the tempo of the innings and the narrative of the game.
Virat Kohli Singles: A Statistical Masterclass
The numbers back up Rahul’s claim. Over his illustrious ODI career, Virat Kohli has accumulated a staggering 5,900 runs purely through singles . To put that into perspective, that’s more runs than many international players have in their entire careers!
This statistic is a testament to his legendary consistency and his deep understanding of ODI batting. He isn’t just waiting for a bad ball to hit; he’s actively creating opportunities to score off good deliveries. This makes him an incredibly difficult batsman to bowl to, as a dot ball is as rare a commodity as a perfect yorker.
His “masterclass in strike rotation,” as described by many pundits , is a skill set that India’s promising but sometimes erratic middle-order desperately needs to absorb. For players like Tilak Varma or Nitish Kumar Reddy, learning to build an innings with patience and precision, just like Kohli, could be a game-changer on the international stage.
How This Impacts India vs South Africa 2025
The ongoing ODI series against a resilient South African side, which kicked off on November 30 in Ranchi, is more than just a bilateral contest . It’s a crucial preparation ground for the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup. With a young squad that blends experience with raw talent, the lessons from Kohli and Sharma are invaluable .
Rahul’s own admission about panicking during the 2024 T20 World Cup final highlights the mental fortitude that the senior players bring . Their presence, and specifically Kohli’s methodical approach to batting, provides a blueprint for the younger generation on how to handle high-pressure situations without resorting to reckless shots.
For Team India to dominate the middle overs and set or chase big totals, they will need to replicate Kohli’s discipline. The ability to milk the bowling and keep the scoreboard moving, even when boundaries are hard to come by, is what separates a good ODI side from a great one. As KL Rahul has pointed out, this is the masterclass they are all hoping to learn from the maestro himself.
Conclusion: The Quiet Power of a Single
In the thunderous world of modern cricket, the quiet power of a single, executed with precision and purpose, is a strategy that wins championships. KL Rahul’s revelation about Virat Kohli’s mastery isn’t just a compliment; it’s a strategic directive for the future of Indian cricket. By focusing on the foundational skills of strike rotation and partnership building, the next generation of Indian batters can forge a more resilient and complete team, ready to take on any challenge, starting with South Africa and looking ahead to the World Cup.
Sources
[1] Times of India: ‘Kohli is a master at… ‘: KL Rahul reveals what India will look to learn from star
[2] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [17] [18] [21] Various reports on KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and India vs SA ODI 2025 from web search results.
[10] [14] Various reports on Virat Kohli’s batting technique and strike rotation statistics from web search results.
[INTERNAL_LINK:india-vs-south-africa-2025-schedule]
[INTERNAL_LINK:virat-kohli-records-odi]