Former India skipper Ajinkya Rahane explained how Virat Kohli has changed his technique and approach to batting in recent times. In the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11, Kohli top-scored with a 91-ball 93, helping India chase down a 301-run target in 49 overs.

Rahane believes that Kohli has been stepping out to pacers and spinners much more frequently than he used to in the past. The Indian batter feels that Kohli is employing this strategy to unsettle the rhythm of the bowlers.

"His method and batting style has changed.

He generally doesn't step out that much against the spinners and fast bowlers. But whatever I've seen in this innings and also in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he's doing that consistently now. He wants bowlers to change their lengths. That's a great attitude because we've all seen Virat Kohli batting from the crease using his drives, pulls, and cuts. But nowadays he is stepping out," Rahane told Cricbuzz.

Rahane praises Kohli's off-field routines

Rahane heaped praise on Kohli for his ability to follow off-the-field routines - eating right, getting enough sleep, working out, and much more.

The Mumbai batter feels that this ability has played a significant role in helping Kohli maintain consistency with the bat over the years.

"You talk about consistency, and you talk about Virat Kohli. But as a batter, when you are getting runs, people talk about the skills but it's actually the routines that are really important. When you are going through a purple match, your off the field routines matter a lot. What kind of food you eat, what time you wake up and sleep, all these small things matter a lot," said Rahane (via the aforementioned source).

"Virat Kohli is able to do these for a long period of time. That's very difficult to do because it's a boring thing. Eating the same food, waking up at the same time, and following the same routines, be it the stretching at the ground and the workouts, it's literally boring. Yes, he works hard on his fitness and batting, but his off the field routines are really good. That's why he has been consistent for so long," he added.

This turned out to be Kohli's sixth 50-plus score in ODI cricket.

Seven more runs and he would have registered a record-extending 54th ODI century.