Virat Kohli, man of the match in India’s World T20 winning match over Pakistan has said that it is the challenge of playing on tough pitches like the one at Eden Gardens that brings the best out of him.
“It was a challenging wicket, that’s what you want as a cricketer -- new challenges to play. Last game, I was very disappointed to have got out, that really hurt. Even the 49 against Pakistan in Dhaka was really satisfying, that’s what you need, a tough pitch a good bowling attack and you pulling your team out of trouble,” Kohli said on Saturday at the post-match presentation ceremony at the Eden Gardens.
He was all praise for Yuvraj Singh, who helped him conjure a 61-run stand.
“Yuvraj weathered the storm and then smacked a few. That’s Yuvi style. I think these performances are good for him as well, he’s in good nick.”
Kohli, whose gusty 55 off 37 balls powered India to a six wicket win over arch rivals Pakistan, admitted that he did not know that wicket would offer so much turn till Ashwin started bowling.
“I didn’t look at wicket till Ashwin started bowling. The way the ball spun, I thought it was going to grip. Even cutters bowled by fast bowlers was gripping. So I told our batting coach (Sanjay Bangar) that since the ball was popping up, I would stand inside the crease and open the bat face rather than hit cover drive,” said Kohli.
{{/usCountry}}“I didn’t look at wicket till Ashwin started bowling. The way the ball spun, I thought it was going to grip. Even cutters bowled by fast bowlers was gripping. So I told our batting coach (Sanjay Bangar) that since the ball was popping up, I would stand inside the crease and open the bat face rather than hit cover drive,” said Kohli.
{{/usCountry}}He dedicated his 50 to Sachin Tendulkar, who was there in the stands.
“I started playing cricket watching him. So to do it in front of 67,000 people with him celebrating, it was a great feeling.”
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