Senior batter Virat Kohli played a key role in India’s series-clinching six-wicket victory over Australia in the third T20I at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Sunday (September 25).
Chasing 187 to win, the Men in Blue lost KL Rahul (1) and Rohit Sharma (17) early but the duo of Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav added 104 runs for the third wicket to keep the hosts in the hunt.
While Suryakumar got out after slamming 69 off 36 balls (5 fours and 5 sixes), Virat held the one end firmly and anchored the chase brilliantly. The former skipper forged a 48-run stand with Hardik Pandya to put India in the driver’s seat.
With 11 needed off the last over, Kohli hit Daniel Sams’ first ball for a six before perishing on the second delivery for 63 off 48 balls (3 fours and 4 sixes). In the end, Hardik’s unbeaten cameo (25 off 16 balls) took the home team over the finishing line in 19.5 overs.
Speaking after the game, Virat Kohli said that the game should have not gone that long and he is trying to hit more boundaries in the middle overs to help his team’s cause.
“Last game I was a bit disappointed that after hitting him for a four, I went for a double rather than hitting him for a six. I’m making a conscious effort to strike those big ones through the middle overs so that it can help the team situation. The game shouldn’t have gone on that long, we should have probably had 4 or 5 to chase in the final over. It was important to maintain my composure and get one boundary (on that first-ball six in the 20th over),” Kohli said at the post-match presentation.
The veteran campaigner further said that he likes to bat at No. 3 as it provides him with a chance to give experience to the team.
“That’s why I’m batting at 3, giving the experience to the team (at that position). I got off to a good start then I had to take down Zampa because he’s an important bowler through the middle. When Surya started hitting it like that, I kinda looked at the dug-out as well,” he added.
Kohli had special praise reserved for Suryakumar Yadav, who took the Australian bowling attack to the cleaners while batting at No. 4.
“Rohit and Rahul bhai both told me, ‘you can keep batting on’ because Surya was striking that well. He has the game to bat under any condition (on SKY), he batted beautifully in the Asia Cup. He’s striking the ball well, this is the best I have seen him for the past 6 months or so. He’s got the gift of timing and I was in awe watching him play his shots,” he stated.
“Adam Zampa was trying to control my scoring rate, so I was standing outside leg and trying to use that off-side area. I was disappointed at having taken a single after a six, but it was an important strike (on that first-ball six in the 20th over). We were a tad disappointed at not having kept our required rate to around 4-5 runs for the last over, so it was important to get a boundary early on,” said the former captain.
Pleased with his knock, Virat Kohli is keen to do his best while contributing to the team.
“I’m happy with my contribution to the team, I took a break, went back to the nets, worked hard on my fitness and think it’s coming off well. I want to keep contributing and doing my best for the team,” he said.
Virat Kohli will now be seen in action in the three-match T20I series against South Africa, starting September 28 in Thiruvananthapuram.
(With ANI inputs)
