IND vs NZ 2026: ‘He walks the talk’ – Shreyas Iyer lauds Virat Kohli after match-winning knock in Vadodara

Indian vice-captain Shreyas Iyer lauded teammate Virat Kohli for his match-winning 93-run knock, which helped India successfully chase a 301-run target against New Zealand in the opening match of the three-match ODI series on Sunday, January 11, at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara.

Kohli scored 93 off 91 balls, striking eight fours and a six. The innings marked his seventh consecutive fifty-plus score in 50-over cricket since the third ODI of the series against Australia in October 2025. Iyer praised Kohli’s consistency over the years, his ability to rotate the strike effectively, and his knack for taking on bowlers, stating that Kohli truly ‘walks the talk’.

“Whatever we talk about his (Virat Kohli) innings, it would be less. We have been seeing it for so many years now he’s been doing it consistently. The way he rotates the strike, he takes on the bowlers. He basically walks the talk,” said Iyer in the video released by the BCCI.

Of Kohli’s seven consecutive fifty-plus scores, three have been centuries, two in ODIs and one in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. With his 93-run knock, he also surpassed Kumar Sangakkara’s tally of 28,016 runs to become the second-highest run-scorer across all formats in international cricket, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar. In 557 matches, Kohli has amassed 28,068 runs at an average of 52.66, including 84 centuries and 146 half-centuries.

Iyer also reflected on his return to the Indian side and the team’s winning start to the series. He said it felt great to be back in the squad and share the dressing room once again, describing the victory as an ideal beginning to the three-match series.

“Great start for the series. Coming back after a while into the team, it feels great to be a part of this squad. More than that it was a great feeling to share the dressing room with each and every one. I was missing it for quite a while but I am happy to be back,” said Iyer.