IND vs SL 2017: Virat Kohli elated with his batting effort in Test cricket

Kohli finished the Test series with 610 runs to his name.

Kohli recorded his career best 243 at his home ground Kotla (Pic. source: BCCI)

India skipper Virat Kohli seems to be in the form of his life as he recorded two consecutive double centuries during the just-concluded Test series against Sri Lanka at home. Kohli finished the Test series with 610 runs at an incredible average of 152.50 and was deservedly adjudged Man of the Series as India sealed the series 1-0.

Amidst all his success in limited-overs cricket, Virat hasn’t forgotten the fact that Test cricket still remains to be the pinnacle. Now that he has started to churn out big scores in the longest format of cricket, the 29-year-old is enjoying his success even more.

"On the personal front, I was hitting the ball very well and it was kind of a revelation that I can play and hit balls in Tests the way I can do in ODIs. That was something I always hesitated to do but this made me realize that you can push the game forward even in Test cricket," Kohli said after the match.

"There's nothing called set patterns these days, if you can believe in yourself, you can achieve anything in any format," added Kohli.

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The Indian captain registered his Test highest score (243) in the third and final Test at his home ground Kotla, which also happened to be his third double hundred this year (2017) and sixth overall. In the process, Virat also surpassed the West Indian batting legend Brian Lara (5) as the skipper with most Test double hundreds.

"When I was not a captain, it was difficult to think of situations all the time. When I was finding my feet in Test cricket, I was under pressure. When I got to a milestone, I sort of relaxed. Now, it's a lot different," revealed Kohli.

"Now as a captain I have to keep to batting on and on even after I reach hundred or 150 and push forward to put up as many runs on board as possible, or if I am batting in the second innings to create a situation where the bowler can get extra overs to bowl the opposition out later," he further asserted.

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On being asked about the rest from the limited-overs leg of the series against Sri Lanka, the Delhi lad said: "Last time I took rest, it was difficult to handle. But my body is asking for it right now. The workload has been massive, I have been playing non-stop for the last 48 months, I need rest. My body has taken a toll in the last couple of years. Right now is the perfect time to rest before the tour of South Africa."

"It was a really good series, apart from the second Test. We learnt a lot. Credit to the players and management for working hard. The guys executed their plans in the middle," the skipper concluded.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 07 Dec, 2017

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