After inflicting a 3-0 whitewash over South Africa in the Test series, India skipper Virat Kohli heaped praise on Rohit Sharma for performing exceptionally well in his new role as an opener.
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Rohit justified his elevation as Test opener by slamming three classy centuries in the series. The stylish right-hander registered the scores of 176 and 127 across the two innings in the first Test at Vizag while he smashed 212 in the first innings of third Test in Ranchi.
“Credit solely goes to the player for the way he overcame his anxiety and hesitation and performed in such a manner that he was adjudged Man-of-the-Series in the first series as an opener. It’s been outstanding for him,” Kohli told reporters after India’s innings and 202-run victory in Ranchi Test.
“There is always an anticipation on how would you perform as an opener in Test cricket, as he has been the world’s best opener in ODI cricket for a long time. Despite missing close to two sessions because of rain, his pace in the batting gave us so much of time to bowl them out twice,” he further added.
The India captain was also satisfied with the performance of opener Mayank Agarwal and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane. While Agarwal hit a double ton and ton in Vizag and Pune respectively, Rahane scored his 11th Test century when India were reeling at 39/3 in Ranchi.
“Mayank (Agarwal) also has done very well. Despite being new to opening, he performed consistently. Ajinkya (Rahane) also got a century at home after a long time (three years, 188 v NZ October 2016, Indore).
“He also got a Test century in West Indies after a long time. Things are moving in the right direction in the last two-three months. So I said, it feels very pleasing to see individuals performing collectively well.”
Indian pacers outbowled their Proteas counterpart right through the series. While Umesh Yadav finished the series with 11 wickets with an average of 12.18, Mohammed Shami returned with 13 scalps at 14.76.
“If you look at these two guys, their strike-rate is probably the best in Indian conditions in history. So it tells you that these guys hit the stumps and the pads more. It’s a great sign of intent the bowlers are running with. The fitness levels have gone up,” Kohli was effusive in praise for his fast bowlers.
One of the secrets of success for this team has been the positive energy.
“Even five minutes of negative energy can send you on a downward slide,” said Kohli.
“It’s the mindset. If two people believe we can score hundreds on green wicket, then they will while the others won’t. So, in the same way, if the fast bowlers believe they can make something happen even if there is nothing in the match they really can make it happen.”
“They (pacers) don’t want easy cricket. They wan’t challenges and want to come on top of it. Even if the ball is doing a little bit, they ask for the ball. They immediately want to make an impact. They want to give the team the breakthroughs. So it’s all about the positive mindset,” said the skipper.
(With PTI inputs)
