Star batter Virat Kohli said sorry to Ravindra Jadeja for stealing the Player-of-the-Match award from him after India’s comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Match 17 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at MCA Stadium, Pune on Thursday (October 19).
Asked to bowl first, the hosts restricted Bangladesh to a below-par 256/8 on a good batting wicket. Jadeja starred with the ball for India, claiming two wickets by conceding 38 runs in his 10 overs.
In reply, the Men in Blue rode on Kohli’s 48th ODI hundred (103 off 97 balls) to overhaul the target with 8.3 overs to spare. The likes of Shubman Gill (53), Rohit Sharma (48) and KL Rahul (34*) also chipped in with handy contributions during the chase.
For his match-winning ton, Kohli earned the Player-of-the-Match honour and he was glad to be able to convert his start to a three-figure mark this time around.
“Sorry for stealing it (PoTM award) from Jaddu, I wanted to make a big contribution. I have had a few fifties in World Cups, haven't really converted them. I just wanted to finish the game off this time around and hang on till the end which is what I have done over the years for the team,” Kohli told the broadcasters after the game.
Virat Kohli was served a couple of free hits when he arrived in the middle and the right-hander made the most of it, hitting Hasan Mahmud for a four and six.
“I was telling Shubman, even if you dream about a situation like that, you'll just go back to sleep, you won't think it's real. It was a dream start for me, first four balls, two free-hits, a six and a four. Just calms you down gets you into the innings,” Kohli said.
“The pitch was pretty good and it allowed me to play my game - just time the ball, hit the gaps, run hard and get the boundaries whenever needed,” he added.
In the end, Kohli said that the dressing room atmosphere this fantastic and they are enjoying each others' company.
“There's a great atmosphere in the change room, we are loving each others' company, the spirit is there for everyone to see on the field. That's why it's translating like that on the field. We understand it's a long tournament, you need to create some momentum in the change room for the guys to come out and play like this. It's a special feeling playing at home, playing in front of all these people, we just want to make the most of it,” he concluded.
India’s next World Cup match is scheduled against New Zealand in Dharamsala on Sunday (October 22).
