IND v WI 2018: Virat Kohli delighted to have "problem of plenty", calls it a pleasant headache to have

Umesh Yadav bowled with fire to pick up 10 wickets at Hyderabad.

Virat Kohli was a very happy captain after Team India's ruthless 10-wicket win against West Indies at Hyderabad, giving the home side the 2-0 result they were after and a record 10th consecutive home series victory in Tests.

India needed only 72 runs to win after an inspired display of bowling which saw West Indies being skittled out for just 127 after they conceded a lead of 56 runs in the first innings. Umesh Yadav led the attack brilliantly and picked up his maiden ten-wicket match haul, while the spinners shared rest of the wickets.

"We didn't expect it to finish in three days in the morning to be honest. WI played really well to put us in a tough situation and getting 56 runs was a bonus after the situation we got ourselves into. We would have liked a much bigger lead, but again with the ball we were clinical and we needed to step up. At home where we understand the conditions very well, we know how to put the opposition under pressure and how to create that pressure. We thought the game could go onto the fifth day if the teams kept playing the way they did. We were really good today and deserved to win," Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Kohli appreciated the fact that the newcomers in the side have done well and have given the team more options. He said, "If you look at the three guys who've come in they've grabbed their opportunities really well - Vihari in England, Rishabh has been doing the job wonderfully for us in the middle and Prithvi getting the man-of-the-series award in his first series was outstanding."

Kohli singled out Umesh for praise, as the pacer was left all by himself with Shardul being ruled out after bowling just 10 balls, "I would like to single out Umesh. Shardul broke down in the first spell and Umesh deserves what he's achieved in this game. I am pleased to see how he's stepped up for us in the absence of Shami and after Shardul got injured. He keeps giving more than 100 per cent every time in the field. We all are happy for him, he's worked really hard and has waited for his chance to step up for us. He is the standout performer for me in this game as far as I am concerned,"

"We have a problem of plenty now, Umesh here, the three bowlers who played in England and it is a pleasant headache we have. But that is a better situation to be in rather than having to find bowlers who would do the job for you. Bowling was never the question overseas and I have always maintained that if we could bat better we could win overseas. I am pleased to see these guys taking twenty wickets," Kohli further added on India's bowling riches.

Lastly, Kohli reflected on the efforts of his batsmen in the series, he said, "I am sure we've learnt from the last series, we applied ourselves better in India with the bat much better and we'd like to take that ahead as well. This game was tougher, because to be honest the bowlers didn't get very favourable conditions to bowl in the last game, the batters got runs and the wicket was very flat. Obviously Jason coming in with more experience knows how to get wickets and he was very consistent. Jinks batted beautifully here, he got a great innings in Nottingham and he was a big positive for us. Rishabh batted well with him and it is something we want to see a lot more of when the team is in trouble."

(With inputs from India Today)

 
 

By Saurabh Malhotra - 14 Oct, 2018

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