Virat Kohli termed India’s performance against Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy 2017 as clinical. India beat Pakistan by 124 runs and Kohli credited the openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma for laying down a platform for a big score. He considered Yuvraj’s inning as a game-changing one and also elaborated on Hardik Pandya’s three sixes in the last over to take them to 319 for 3 in 48 overs. Kohli did not refrain from praising his bowlers as well but feels that the fielding needs to be worked upon.
On being asked that did you expect the proceedings to be wrapped up this easily, Kohli replied, “Honestly, we wanted to bowl first as well in the morning but seeing how they quickly they opted to bowl we felt like they are not necessarily wanting to chase a total down. If we can get anything over six and a half (runs per over) we will be able to create some pressure and get wickets in the middle overs.”
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He tried to defend Pakistan’s batting collapse as well, he said, “To be fair to them when Duckworth-Lewis comes into play and you are chasing a big total you want to create momentum and then wickets can fall bit quickly. If you play dot balls then the game does not go anywhere, you try a few shots and lose wickets. It’s not something that has happened for the first time. Teams do tend to attack and get out. It’s a pretty normal thing but I would say a very clinical performance from our team,”
He answered to whether this will go down as the most satisfying win against Pakistan, Kohli said, “Looking at that we are at the start of the tournament, every game in this tournament is big. We have a side in which few youngsters have come in and are gradually getting towards strengthening their careers for India. From team’s point of view, it’s a massive win for us. Just the way we played and the confidence we showed is something that is very pleasing to see as a captain. Even though we lost the toss, guys were raring to go and willing to take the pressure. The way Yuvi (Yuvraj) batted it, I think it was a game-changing inning. Initially, the openers gave us a great start as well.
On being asked how tricky the selection was for the Pakistan, Kohli said, “Well, the combination was something we talked about, we named the 12 yesterday and we decided in the morning that the surface is hard enough for bowlers to keep hitting good, hard lengths and use the bouncer every over as well. We decided to play an extra seamer against Pakistan because they plan spin well
He also praised Yuvraj, Kohli said, “Later on I got to 50, I was not able to play freely and Yuvi (Yuvraj) came and just took all the pressure off me and the way he batted was only he can strike the ball, hitting low full tosses for fours and sixes, even digging out yorkers for fours was outstanding. His innings was the difference in the game.”
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