Win shows team’s character: Kohli
First Published : 28 Feb 2012, 17:29
Last Modified : 28 Feb 2012, 17:47
Hobart, Feb 28: India kept their CB Series finals hopes alive thanks to a tremendous batting performance that helped them beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets. Virat Kohli’s match-winning knock of 133* from 86 balls ensured that India chased 321 in just 36.4 overs and clinched the all-important bonus point.
Excerpts from Virat Kohli’s post-match interview.
On the commentators believing that his innings was the best they’ve ever seen
That’s a huge compliment. To be able to chase down 320 in 40 overs, knowing it was a crunch game for us, last game for us, [is commendable]. To get the bonus point, we had to do it in 40 overs. To put in that kind of combined batting effort—I think that was good from the team’s point [of view].
On starting his innings off slowly
I committed a few mistakes in the last games. I was hitting the ball pretty well till 20 and then trying to middle every ball and that is not possible in international cricket. I told myself I’ll just stick in there and it paid off.
On his cover drive off Lasith Malinga
I cracked my bat [down] the middle after that shot so yeah, I put everything in that shot.
On whether the win eases the pressure on him
It shows the character of the team, what we think [we’re capable of]. Sometimes we don’t execute our plans really well, which we have [seen] on this tour so far. But I had the self-belief that if we keep working hard and keep positive and keep [getting] in the face of the opposition, then the results are going to come. You don’t need to back out and just sit and watch. It’s all about working hard and sticking in there and you’ll turn things around eventually.
On Australia having to win against Sri Lanka to ensure India’s presence in the finals
That’s how it goes in a tri-series sometimes; you rely on other teams to go through. We’ll be rooting for [Australia] all out.
