Virat Kohli was an elated captain as Team India defeated West Indies in the third and final ODI by four wickets to clinch the series 2-1 at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack on Sunday (December 22).
Chasing 316 to win, the hosts got off to a fabulous start with Rohit Sharma (63) and KL Rahul (77) adding 122 runs for the opening wicket.
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However, India’s middle-order fell like a pack of cards and amid the collapse, Kohli made 85 off 81 balls before Ravindra Jadeja (39* off 31 balls) and Shardul Thakur (17* off 6 balls) took the home team over the line with eight balls to spare.
“Having done (chasing successfully) it so many times, you obviously have a bit more calmness and you understand how the dew is playing and all you need is a short partnership. From there the opposition usually crumbles,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“It was outstanding to see others finishing the game. Honestly when I got out I had a nervous phase, but I looked back at Jaddu and he looked confident. They just changed the game in three overs. Watching from outside is way more difficult.”
The skipper reflected on India's performance in 2019 and called it a beautiful year barring that World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand.
“2019 has been one of the best years for Indian cricket. Apart from the 30 minutes in the World Cup, it’s been a great year. We’ll keep chasing that ICC trophy. But apart from that, the way we’ve played has been satisfying.”
He also had a word of praise for his pacers who have troubled the best of batsmen through the year.
“Having a bunch of fast bowlers who can bowl out any opposition anywhere - them taking the attention away from the spinners in India is a huge achievement.”
Kohli concluded by saying that his team’s “younger people” will need to step up in a few years.
“We feel we have it in us to win series overseas, not just the odd game. We are in the process of trying out people, see how they react under pressure. Whether people want to accept it or not, the younger people will have to step up in a few years,” he remarked.
(With PTI inputs)
