ENG v IND 2018: Personal milestone holds no significance if your team don’t cross the line, says Virat Kohli

Kohli scored 149 and 51 in the first and second innings of Edgbaston Test respectively.

Virat Kohli recorded his first Test ton on English soil | Getty

After suffering a heart-breaking 31-run defeat at the hands of England in the first Test at Edgbaston, India skipper Virat Kohli asserted that personal milestone holds no significance if you don’t manage to see your team through.

Kohli finished the match as the highest run-getter from either side. While the Indian captain registered his maiden Test ton (149) on English soil in the first innings, he scored a solid 51 in the second innings.

“When the focus is on the larger picture, these things don’t matter. Back in the day I used to think about playing in different conditions, different countries, but when you become captain it’s about taking your team across the line,” Virat told BBC.

“You are able to bat longer than you would’ve done otherwise and the ability you have inside just unleashes because you’re not focused on your personal milestones,” he added.

Despite Kohli amassing 200 runs in the match, India was bundled out for 274 and 162 in their first and second innings respectively. However, he remained optimistic about India’s chances in the remaining four Tests.

“Glad to be a part of such an exciting Test match; there were a couple of moments when we came back. A team like England doesn’t let you do it everyday, they were relentless and they made us work very hard for our runs. It sets up the series nicely and gives us what we need to do going forward,” Virat Kohli remarked.

“Our shot selection could have been better. We definitely need to apply ourselves better with the bat, but England came back superbly. We need to take the positives and move forward. We can be proud as a team to start against England in England the way we have,” he concluded.

Lord’s will host the second Test match between England and India from Thursday (August 9). 

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 05 Aug, 2018

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