By far my best achievement: Virat
SYDNEY: He was a part of India’s victorious World Cup campaign in 2011 but Virat Kohli felt “more emotional” than ever after his team’s maiden Test series win in Australia, something the captain termed as the “biggest achievement” of his career.
“By far this is my best achievement. Has to be on top of the pile,” Kohli said after becoming the first India captain to win a Test series in Australia.
The skipper explained why the triumph Down Under will be more special for him compared to World Cup triumph. “I was a part of the 2011 World Cup team but I didn’t have the emotion of not having been able to win a World Cup before. A lot of the senior players had that emotion. But if you ask me which moment is more emotional, I would say this one because this is my third tour here and I have seen with experience how difficult it is to win here. So this one is more emotional to me,” the skipper said.
“History does matter. It’s obviously a very proud moment, more
so because for the last 12 months, we understand what we have gone through. Although changing history or creating history is still not what I am thinking of, it is pure satisfaction of the hard work of 12 months,” he said.
For someone, who has emphasised on team effort, Kohli said Hanuma Vihari’s resistance
against the new ball in an unfamiliar opening position was as critical as a century or a big knock. “If you ask me to single out a contribution, for me, Hanuma Vihari playing 70 balls against the new ball in MCG is as big as anyone getting a hundred or anyone scoring 70-80. That’s how we recognise contributions,” Kohli said. “Definitely this will be more special, purely because we really wanted to win a series away from home. We didn’t want to be a onematch wonder,” said Kohli.
He once again praised the fast bowlers for their effort. “Well, the numbers are there on the board for everyone to see. Having broken a record of the West Indian fast bowlers, speaks volumes (sic),” he said. “I think the most important thing is to look after these guys because they deserve a good break now and because they are the reason we are sitting here having won in Australia for the first time,” he added.
“We already are in the process of identifying (three pacers), and then keep them ready — make them travel with the team, make them understand the importance of Test cricket, what areas to bowl, what the mind-set should be. Because once you create this kind of a culture in the team, you want it to continue,” Kohli said.
“I see this as a stepping-stone to inspire the next lot of Test cricketers because only if the Indian team respects Tests, will the fans come in and watch Test cricket.”