Virat Kohli hails MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav: The Indian captain as wax lyrical about the two middle-order batsmen.
During the first ODI of the ongoing Australia’s tour of India at Hyderabad, India defeated Australia by six wickets to go 1-0 up in the series. While the hosts were expected to chase the 237-run target with ease, that wasn’t to be as they were reduced from 80-1 to 99-4.
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However, it was an unbeaten match-winning 141-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Mahendra Singh Dhoni (59) and Kedar Jadhav (81) which saw India through. Having won India the match at Melbourne, it was the second time this year when this pair stood tall on the expectations.
Speaking during the post-match presentation, India captain Virat Kohli admitted that it was a difficult game. “It was a difficult game. I thought we did really well with the ball. The wicket didn’t offer as much as it did under the lights,” Kohli was quoted as saying.
Well played @JadhavKedar and off course @msdhoni, fighting it for the team when it matters the most. #INDvAUS @BCCI
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) March 2, 2019
It was another clinical performance from #TeamIndia with the ball and although, they were put under the pump in the run chase, these two ensured that the series is 1-0 in favour of the hosts!#INDvAUS #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi pic.twitter.com/PJbwswa9An
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) March 2, 2019
Being asked to pick one out of batting or bowling which won India the game, Kohli didn’t hesitate for a bit to pick the second option. It was the Indian bowling unit which restricted the opposition to a below par total in the first innings.
Having said that, Kohli also hailed the manner in which Dhoni and Jadhav batted under daunting circumstances. “Their [Dhoni and Jadhav] partnership was outstanding. We wanted to get a partnership going. The way Kedar and MS took responsibility was outstanding,” Kohli said.
Kohli appreciates Jadeja
At the toss, Kohli had announced that they have picked all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja over leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. The ploy had worked well for India as Jadeja (10-0-33-0) was their most economical bowler.
1/31 from 7 overs and 81* that pulled India to victory – @JadhavKedar is the Player of the Match in Hyderabad! #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/4JbjE3olIM
— ICC (@ICC) March 2, 2019
India have already won 3 ODIs this year without any of the top-3 making 50+.
In 20 games last year, there was just one such win.
Good signs, just before the World Cup! #IndvAus
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 2, 2019
When Kedar Jadhav bowls four or more overs in an ODI match…
India won 18, Tie 1, Lost 2#IndvAus— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 2, 2019
Acknowledging Jadeja’s spell, Kohli was all praises about the all-rounder. “Amazing. 10 overs for less than 35 runs. Just the tight lines he bowled and set the fields accordingly. He’s a great asset in the field too,” he added.
Before concluding, Kohli laid emphasis on the whole bowling unit looking set ahead of the World Cup. Being asked about Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav, Kohli said, “Brilliant, the way Shami has come into the white-ball set up. Never seen him so lean before. Got Maxi [Glenn Maxwell] out on 40-odd with a beautiful wicket. Just looking good for the World Cup.”
