Pakistan has now leveled against India in the Asia Cup as they registered a win against the rivals on Sunday. While the thriller ended in Pakistan’s lap, Virat Kohli mesmerized everyone with his commendable batting. Kohli scored his second consecutive half-century in the tournament as he anchored the Indian innings. Kohli held his ground and showed immaculate game awareness as the Indian batting dwindled playing mindless shots.
The star player, afterward appeared for the post-match press conference. The prolific batter addressed many aspects of the team’s performance. Kohli appreciated Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma for their management of the team and the dressing room environment. Moreover, he defended Arshdeep Singh who dropped a crucial catch in the clash.
Virat Kohli speaks up about India’s performance against Pakistan
Virat Kohli giving credit to captain Rohit and management for the great environment in the team. pic.twitter.com/QLNszXBjPd
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 5, 2022
“Anyone can make the mistake, the situation was tight. It was a high-pressure game and mistakes can happen. I still remember I was playing my first Champions Trophy and the match was against Pakistan, I had played a very bad shot against Shahid Afridi. I was watching the ceiling till 5 am, I was not able to sleep and I thought my career is over but these things are natural,” Kohli said defending Arshdeep Singh for dropping a catch.
“Seniors players get around you, there is a good team environment right now, I give the credit to the captain and coach. The players learn from their mistakes. So one must accept his mistake, address it and look forward to being in that pressure situation once again,” he added.
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Moreover, he also talked about Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Both were the stars of India’s previous games against Hong Kong and Pakistan respectively. However, both of them didn’t perform as expected in the latest outing against Pakistan. While Yadav was dismissed early on an ill-timed sweep, Pandya returned on a duck. Moreover, Pandya who scalped three wickets in the earlier game against the rivals delivered a sub-par bowling performance in Sunday’s game.
Talking about them, Virat Kohli said, “Both Hardik and Suryakumar Yadav have been brilliant. Hardik has realised his potential fully. From the IPL that happened this time around, he has become a different character, very responsible and very aware of his abilities.”
“That is the difference I see, he realises what he can do as an all-rounder and he is working as hard as I have ever seen him. To play like this and get back to full bowling fitness will be a massive factor. And Suryakumar, I do not think there are hardly any players in world cricket who can play like that, once he gets going, he can take the game away,” he further added.
