Each of them has a distinct characteristic. However, one common thread that seams through their tapestry is consistency and their appetite for big knocks. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikar Dhawan are on the threshold of becoming the top run-scorers in ODIs this year.
The Awesome Threesome, who have replaced the Fabulous Four of Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar, are facing a rare distinction.
They have three more matches in South Africa next month to seal the top three spots and only Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq is within striking distance. It would perhaps be the first time that three Indians will hold the top three positions.
Kohli has 1237 runs from 31 matches (average 56.22), Rohit has 1159 from 25 (55.19) and Dhawan has 1150 (54.76). Misbah has 1144 runs from 28 matches (49.73) and can play six more matches (one against South Africa and five against Sri Lanka) this year. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, who has the best average of 73.78, has scored 1033 runs in 20 ODIs. He has five more matches. The other player with over 1000 runs this year is Australia’s George Bailey (1098 from 22), but he has finished ODI engagements this year.
Former India wicketkeeper Kiran More said the Indians have been brilliant.
“To be consistent for a long period of time is not easy. They have remained focused and batted exceptionally well. They are the new superstars of Indian cricket. They performed well in the Championship Trophy in England and their biggest test comes in South Africa. They have a chance to better their overseas record. To come in place of three great cricketers like Sachin, Dravid and Laxman and perform is simply magnificent,” said More.
The former selection committee chairman said Kohli has always been an outstanding cricketer. “He is unstoppable in ODIs, but I still want him to get more runs in Test cricket. The real challenges come in the longer format of the game and I want him to score consistently. I’m sure he will do it. He is the only cricketer who can get close to Sachin’s 49 ODI centuries,” added More.
More believes Rohit always had the talent. “It is a different issue that he blossomed a bit late. He has come back strongly and been a different batsman this season. He has adjusted nicely as an opening batsman in ODIs. The challenge comes now and South Africa should bring the best out of him,” More said.
Dhawan has been the new hero of Indian batting, felt More. “He got his chance in the Mohali Test against Australia and never looked back. He has had interesting international outings. A century on Test debut and five ODI centuries in the year speaks of his hunger to succeed. Playing in domestic cricket alongside Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir has helped him become a tough cricketer. He got his chance late but from then on, it has been a fairytale run,” said More.
More opined the three have the technical skills to handle the pace of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and others. “It is a mental issue. I think these three and Cheteshwara Pujara can come good in South Africa. Of course, it is a different ball game as the conditions will be totally different. I think they have the mental toughness to succeed.”