Skip to main content

None of the pitches have been turners: Kohli

Mohali: India skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday credited the team's lower order batsmen for exerting pressure on England's bowlers after the hosts registered an eight-wicket win in the third Test at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) I.S. Bindra Stadium here.

After Tuesday's win, India have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match Test rubber, after having won the second game at Visakhapatnam by 246 runs.

Kohli, who remained unbeaten on six with opener Parthiv Patel (67 not out off 54 balls) as India overhauled the meagre target of 103 runs in just 20.2 overs, said the team is getting more confident after every win.

"It was amazing to see the lower order contribute which is a proud achievement. That pushes the opposition back. (Ravichandran) Ashwin is a champion No.1 all-rounder, (Ravindra) Jadeja is in the top 10, and for Jayant (Yadav) to show the maturity in his first Tests," Kohli said in the post-match presentation.

The lower order comprising the three all-rounders -- Ashwin (72), Jadeja (90) and Jayant (55) -- heavily contributed with the willow during India's first innings to take the total to 417 and give the hosts a lead of 134 runs after England were bowled out for 283.

"None of the pitches have been turners. We have just played very good cricket. We are getting more and more confident. We lost the toss, bowled them out for 280. We got motivated by that actually," the Delhi batsman said.

The spin trio of Ashwin (4), Jadeja (4) and Jayant (4) also shared 12 wickets amongst themselves.

Kohli also hailed youngsters -- Jayant and Karun Nair -- for displaying maturity during the game.

"Jayant asked me for the fields he wanted. He took their spinners on. Very happy with the way the guys have stood up. Felt bad for Karun the debutant but he is a good batsman. I am sure he is looking forward to his next Test."

The 28-year-old also praised his pace duo of Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav for rising to the occasion.

"For our quicks to hurry their batsmen is great too. Shami feels the injury was a blessing in disguise. He has become more hard-working. He has come back fitter and stronger," he said.

Meanwhile, England skipper Alastair Cook blamed the team's poor batting effort for the back-to-back loses.

"It has been a frustrating four days. Credit to India, they outplayed us. It was a good toss to win. But if you get bowled out for 280 you won't win games. You need to get 400 on this pitch at least," he said.

Hailing all-rounder Ben Stokes for his contribution in the match, Cook said: "Stokes is a brilliant player. He gives balance to the team. He is only going to get better and better."

Cook also praised teenaged opener Haseeb Hameed, who despite being injured remained unbeaten on 59 while batting at No.8, during England's second innings.

Cook also informed that the right-hander will head back home to nurse his hand injury.

"Haseeb showing character was a positive. Unfortunately Haseeb has to go home. Showed a lot of character to come out and bat," he said.

The teams will now head to Mumbai to play the fourth match of the series from December 8.



via Sify.com http://ift.tt/2gBrE6G

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

India withdraw Smith protest as boards make peace in DRS row

India have withdrawn an official protest about the actions of Australia captain Steve Smith in the second test as the governing bodies of both countries moved to bring an end to the acrimony surrounding the ongoing four-match series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had earlier registered a complaint to the International Cricket Council (ICC) over Smith looking to the dressing room for guidance on whether to review an lbw decision during the Bengaluru match. Despite the hosts winning the test to level the series at 1-1 on Tuesday, India skipper Virat Kohli alleged the tourists had indulged in the practice throughout the match, sparking a war of words in the media and a robust response from Australia. The boards released a joint statement on Friday saying the chief executives of both bodies had met in Mumbai on Thursday and agreed to try and bring the focus "back to the game" ahead of next week's third test in Ranchi. "India has always cherished a c...

Pogba is one of best players when in form: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Leeds [UK], Dec 7 (ANI): Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised midfielder Paul Pogba, saying that he is one of the best players in the world when he is in good touch. "Paul is going to play when he gets his fitness. He is one of the best players in the world when he's in form and we just need to give him time to be 100 per cent fit," Goal.com quoted Solskjaer as saying. Pogba has endured a frustrating 2019-20 campaign to date, having only managed five Premier League appearances in total due to a string of fitness issues. He is currently recovering from an ankle injury and last played for the club on September 30 against Arsenal. Solskjaer had said that the France international will be out of action till December. "It might be 45 minutes in the first game, it might be half an hour, it might be 90. It depends on what game he comes back in and I'm looking back to get Paul back to where I had him about a year ago," Solskjaer said. ...

Virat Kohli and co. leave for West Indies

The Virat Kohli led Indian team left for the West Indies for the four-Test series starting July 21st. The team was accompanied by its newly appointed head coach Anil Kumble and other support staff. The 16-member squad will play a tour game against the West Indies Cricket Board President's XI at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts on July 9 and 10. The journey begins. #TeamIndia leaves for the tour of West Indies. #WIvIND http://pic.twitter.com/ebK1jkoFiN -BCCI (@BCCI) July 5, 2016 That will be followed by a three-day warm-up fixture at the same venue from July 14 to 16. The first Test match will be held at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua from July 21 to 25. The other three Test matches will be held at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica (Jul 30-Aug 3), Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia (Aug 9-13) and Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad (Aug 18-22). When India last toured West Indies in 2011, the visitors won the series 1-0....