“Most 37 or 38-year-olds hate leaving home” - Dale Steyn heaps praise on Virat Kohli after his 83rd international century

Former South African pacer Dale Steyn has heaped praise on the Indian talismanic batter Virat Kohli, who scored an exceptional 135-run knock in the first ODI against South Africa, in Ranchi, on Sunday, November 30.

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Speaking exclusively to JioStar, Steyn asserted that Kohli is looking mentally young, fresh, and wants to be here at least for a certain period of time. Notably, Kohli is eyeing to play the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Furthermore, the former speedster also revealed that nothing affects Kohli’s preparation at this point of his career.

"When you speak to most 37 or 38-year-olds, they say they hate leaving home, their dog, their kids. But he (Virat) is in a place mentally where he's eager to be out there playing for India. You can see it when he’s running between the wickets, fielding, and diving. He's mentally young, fresh, and wants to be here,” Steyn told JioStar on Sunday.

"He’s played over 300 ODIs in 15 to 16 years, so the experience is inside him. It’s in his body and mind. Even if he arrived here after three days of rain, it wouldn’t have affected his preparation. He’s mentally strong, visualises well, and can see the ball onto the bat. That’s what the best in the world do. They back themselves because they’ve been out there so many times. A key thing he said is that he’s excited about playing," the former pacer added.

For the unversed, Kohli slammed his 83rd international century in the first ODI against South Africa, and as a result, India posted a daunting total of 349/8 in 50 overs. In response, South Africa could score only 332 runs in 49.2 overs, losing the game by 17 runs.

India will next lock horns with South Africa in the second ODI of the three-match series on Wednesday, December 3, in Raipur.

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