Greatest ever? Far from it, says Kohli
ACCOLADE India skipper says team has a long way to go before it can be termed as the finest ever, after Sunil Gavaskar’s effusive praise in wake of great ODI run
BANGALORE: Their winning streak might have been halted, but India captain Virat Kohli feels the current Indian team can become one of the greatest ODI sides ever if it can replicate its home success in overseas conditions.
Kohli’s statement came after the legendary Sunil Gavaskar’s recent comment that the current Team India could end up being the greatest ODI side the nation has ever produced.
“It is a decent compliment. Obviously coming from him (Gavaskar), it feels good because he has seen a lot of Indian teams over the past few years,” Kohli told reporters after India lost by 21 to Australia in the fourth ODI here on Thursday night.
“(But) the journey is long because the team is young. We are playing at home right now. If we can replicate this form in conditions that are alien to us after that we can sit down and be happy with what we have done so far,” Kohli added.
Australia’s win snapped India’s winning streak of nine matches. India lead the fivematch series 3-1 with the fifth and final ODI to be played in Nagpur on Sunday.
Thursday was also the first loss for India here in eight ODIs since November 2003. The last defeat came against the Australians.
“It is all about repeating those processes and try and do the same thing again and again and be consistent in giving the best shots,” Kohli analysed.
The skipper defended the management’s decision to give the reserves a go on Thursday.
India had replaced the pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah with Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami but the move seemed to have backfired as Australia posted a stiff victory target of 335 after opting to bat.
“We have won the series and you have to try out guys at some stage. You need to test your bench strength as well and you need to give those guys game time. I think Umesh bowled well, even Shami bowled well. Umesh even picked up four wickets,” Kohli said backing his bowlers.
Kohli said executing alternate plans is key to success in a match. “I am not someone who sits and thinks maybe I shouldn’t have done this. You try, you go for something, if it doesn’t work make another plan and you go for it again. That is exactly what I think and what the whole squad thinks,” he said.
We are playing at home now. If we can replicate this form in conditions alien to us, we will be happy. On Gavaskar’s comment You try, you go for something, if it doesn’t work make another plan and you go for it again. That is exactly what I think. On making alternate plans