HUNGRY FOR MORE
Indian captain Virat Kohli says his team might test their bench strength in the sixth and final ODI against South Africa on Friday but asserted that intensity won’t be lacking despite the match’s dead-rubber status.
India secured their first ever series win in South Africa across formats on Tuesday when they beat the hosts by 73 runs in the fifth ODI.
“After this series is wrapped up well sit down and think about where to improve. For now, 4-1 feels great. We want to win 5-1, for sure, but there might be a scenario for a few more guys to get a chance in the next match,” Kohli said.
“But the ultimate priority is to win and we will do anything we can to win,” he added.
The performance of Kohli and wrist spinners Kuldeep Chahal and Yuzvendra Chahal stood out but the captain said the series win was the result of a team effort.
“I’m very pleased, it was another complete performance from us,” he said referring to Tuesday’s win “They (South Africa) had the pressure of losing this series and we knew that. Ever since the third Test in Johannesburg, it’s been a good time for us. It’s been a collective effort
We want to win 5-1, but there might be a scenario for a few more guys to get a chance in next match. But the ultimate priority is to win Virat Kohli
to create history,” he added.
South African stand-in captain Aiden Markram said his depleted team was outplayed by India in the series. The final ODI takes place in Centurion on Friday.
Meanwhile, former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock feels Kohli sees a bit of himself in Hardik Pandya and predicted a long run for the allrounder in the Indian team.
“I clearly get the impression that Virat Kohli loves Hardik Pandya’s attitude. It’s very similar to the way Kohli plays his cricket.
And because he loves that attitude there is a good chance that Pandya will get a long run in the side, to settle himself and cement his spot in the team,” Pollock said on Wednesday.
South Africa’s leading wickettaker in Tests added, “That’s the nature of cricket. If the captain likes the way a player goes about his business then that player will get an extra run (of opportunities).”
Pandya proved to be the fulcrum of India’s attack in their 73run win over South Africa in the fifth ODI here, which paved the way for their maiden series victory in the country.
“I liked Pandya’s attitude and approach in the Cape Town Test, the way he played that knock, and he is learning. He will be ultra-positive in Indian conditions where he can take on the spinners. Lot of people have got potential, but to take that to the next level is always the key.
“He will learn the art of what he needs to do in England and Australia. He still needs to find how he wants to play, mix his aggression with sound technique and if he can get himself in for a period of time then I am sure he can learn.”
The former South African allrounder also said that India need to identify if two wrist spinners are enough to carry the team alone through a long tournament like the World Cup. — PTI
Last time India was in SA their spinners picked 2 wickets in 3 matches. This time they got 30 in 5. Massive middle overs impact the deciding factor. Congratulations team India! Sanjay Manjrekar @sanjaymanjrekar
Congratulations India on a historic series win. The wrist spinners have been incredible and this win must be really sweet for Virat and the boys. Thoroughly outplayed South Africa #SAvIND VVS Laxman @VVSLaxman281
Well done team india ..one of the great one day wins ...Rohit sharma super .... class permanent... @BCCI ..@ ImRo45 ..@imVkohli Sourav Ganguly @SGanguly99
A series win in South Africa. This Indian team has achieved what the earlier teams couldn’t. Well done, India #SAvIND Aakash Chopra @cricketaakash
Done and dusted!! Great team effort to win the ODI series. Congratulations #TeamIndia Suresh Raina @ImRaina
Congratulations to Virat Kohli and his Indian team on yet another stellar performance and a series win. This is Virat Kohli ‘s India and its a special team. Great great result. #SAvIND Mohammad Kaif @MohammadKaif