ENG v IND 2018: Virat Kohli says India are much stronger than the Australian side routed by England

India will face England for the first T20I on 3 July.

Virat Kohli during the press conference on the eve of the 1st T20I against England | GETTY

The Indian team is much more lethal than the Australian side that England whitewashed 5-0 ODIs, hinted the Indian captain Virat Kohli ahead of the 3-match T20I series starting from Tuesday. Kohli said his team India is expecting a good challenging series ahead in all three formats.

When asked about whether India has a stronger side than Australia, Kohli said, "We definitely are. We believe in our abilities, and we obviously have a lot of Twenty20 experience."

He added that coming from Indian Premier League and recently concluded T20I series against Ireland the team is looking good to fight. "We've just come off the IPL (Indian Premier League) and a couple of games against Ireland as well -- where the team has looked great," Virat said.

Kohli knows it is their backyard and the home side England will come with full force at them. "We expect England to come hard at us, and we certainly want to play some positive and hard-fought cricket," he said.

The 29-year-old knows dominating at the crucial moments will give them an edge in the battle. "It's going to be an exciting series, and we believe we have the side to put up a great fight -- and if we win the crucial moments then anything can happen," added the India skipper.

The opposition captain Eoin Morgan knows they thrashed a relatively weaker side Australia, but it has helped his teammates gain confidence. "I don't think it's a case of putting (victory over Australia) to one side when there are huge positives to take from the series," said the 31-year-old said. "I think you can use a lot of that, confidence and experience-wise. Having had a few days off and time to reflect on the series, it's something we can call upon -- and might need to in either series, the Twenty20 or the ODIs, when our backs are against the wall. I think it's important."

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 03 Jul, 2018

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