Proud to perform for team, says Kohli
port of spain — After playing a match-winning knock of 114 runs against Windies in the final ODI of the three-match series, skipper Virat Kohli said he takes a lot of pride in performing for the team.
With the win in the third ODI, the Men in Blue won the series 2-0 as the first match of the series was abandoned due to rain. “As I said I have been around for a while so experience counts in pres- sure situations, understanding where the game is standing. Obviously, you want to take a lot of pride in stepping up for the team as much as you can and I take a lot of pride in that,” Kohli told reporters after the final ODI against West Indies.
“Two good games with the bat for me, but more importantly we got the result because of my contribution, so it makes me feel much better and eventually all that matters when you cross the line. Shreyas with the way he played took the pressure off me and I played my natural game, he added.
The match was curtailed due to rain and India eventually had to chase 255 in 36 overs.
The team was reduced to 92/3 at one stage, but skipper Kohli was joined by Shreyas Iyer in the middle and the duo formed a 120-run stand to ease the pressure and consolidate Men in Blue’s position in the match.
Kohli was struck on his thumb by a delivery from Windies quickie Kemar Roach during India’s innings, but the skipper said he will be fine for the first Test match against West Indies.
“Thumb’s good. Luckily it’s not broken so I shall be good for the first Test,” Kohli said. West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle antics during the final ODI of the threematch series against India sparked rumours of retirement.
Gayle after playing a knock of 72 runs was sent back to the pavilion by pacer Khaleel Ahmed. Upon his dismissal, the left-hander had received a standing ovation from the Trinidad crowd.
Every Indian player also congratulated Gayle, which led to speculations that the left-handed batsman might just have played his last match for the team from the Caribbean.
Skipper Kohli and Gayle were seen doing their famous high-five on the pitch after Gayle’s dismissal.
However, after the match, Gayle revealed that he has not announced his retirement yet but skipper Kohli praised Gayle’s fun-loving attitude, calling him the ‘nicest human being around’. —