‘Bizarre at this age’: R Ashwin in awe of Virat Kohli’s relentless intensity | Cricket News

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Ashwin was particularly struck by Kohli’s approach and intensity at the crease. “He walks the talk,” Ashwin said on a JioHotstar show, highlighting how the veteran continues to set the benchmark.“It’s almost like he’s putting on a show for people to see how the game should be played — play it hard and play it the way it’s meant to be played,” he added.Kohli’s knock came on the back of a prolific run in ODIs, where he had already showcased sublime form against New Zealand and South Africa earlier this year, underlining his consistency across formats.‘Bizarre at this age’What stood out most for Ashwin, however, was Kohli’s unmatched intensity between the wickets. “I find him quite bizarre at this age. I tell him this during our chats,” he revealed.Recalling a moment from the innings, Ashwin said, “He was batting on 40-odd, RCB were coasting, and he ran through for a single. He stopped, and before the other batter had reached halfway, he was already looking for a second.”He added that even with a shorter boundary, Kohli’s eagerness to push for extra runs reflected his enduring hunger. “That shows the enthusiasm he still brings to the game,” Ashwin noted.Backing Duffy’s impactAshwin also praised Jacob Duffy for his match-defining spell, crediting him for setting the tone with the ball.“When Duffy was picked, I said it was an amazing choice. He’s right in the prime of his career,” Ashwin said, adding that the pacer adapted smartly after early setbacks.“Tactically, RCB were superior and he executed those plans beautifully,” he observed.Yet, the spotlight firmly remained on Kohli — whose relentless drive, according to Ashwin, continues to defy age and expectations.