Virat Kohli comments on India’s loss against New Zealand in the Warm-up match at the Kia Oval; talks about MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja
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The Virat Kohli-led Indian Cricket team received a heavy drubbing against the New Zealand in their first of the two warm-up games at the Kia Oval in London. The Black Caps handed the ‘Men in Blue’ a resounding 6 wicket defeat with 12.5 overs to spare.
Having opted to bat first, the Indian Team got off to the worst possible starts with Rohit Sharma (2 off 6), Shikhar Dhawan (2 off 7) and KL Rahul, (6 off 10) who was in at no.4 today getting out cheaply within the first 6 overs.
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Skipper Virat Kohli (18 off 24) tried to get in and even played some beautiful shots, but got out to Colin De Grandhomme while playing the wrong line. The middle-order tried to get in with Hardik Pandya (30 0ff 37) and MS Dhoni (17 off 42) but they too couldn’t get the better of the New Zealand pace battery.
India’s lone warrior in the batting order was all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (54 off 50) who looked quite comfortable than the other batters during his stay at the crease. It was his innings that helped India post a reasonable total of 179/10 in 39.2 overs.
The Kiwis found it reasonably easy and apart from Jasprit Bumrah, no other Indian bowler seemed to trouble the Kiwi batting order as they comfortably chased down the target in 37.1 overs, with 6 wickets to spare.
What did Kohli say?
Post the defeat, Kohli was of the view that the conditions were going to be different in the 2nd innings, with the wicket having nothing in for the bowlers in the later half. He also emphasized on the need to make those half-chances while on the field count, and the need to be precise in every department.
On MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja
Kohli praised the vital innings played by Ravindra Jadeja coming into bat under pressure. He also appreciated the efforts put in by Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni in their bid to repair the innings after being after losing 3 wickets within the first 6 overs.
“Very good innings from Jadeja. From 50 for 4 to get to 180 was a good effort. In a tournament like WC, the lower order has to score at times if the top-order gets out quickly. Hardik batted well, MS absorbed the pressure well and Jadeja played well,” Kohli said.
India will next lock horns against Bangladesh on May 28 at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
