In a respectful tone, India captain Jasprit Bumrah paid a huge compliment to Virat Kohli on Monday, saying the team needs his support more than the batting mainstay. Kohli’s 30th Test century, an unbeaten 100, played a big role in India’s epochal 295-run win over Australia in Perth after being bowled out for a paltry 150 in the first innings. “Obviously, I have already said that Virat Kohli does not need us. We need him. He is an experienced player. This is his fourth or fifth tour. So he knows his cricket more than anyone else,” Bumrah said in his post. -match press meeting.
“He was in good shape. He was mentally active. Sometimes, as your career continues, sometimes you hit the ball in difficult scenarios. He always batted in difficult scenarios. So it’s always difficult to do that in every match.” But he batted in very good form and in very good space.
“And obviously he pitched well in the first inning. But he was still in a great headspace. And he made it in the second inning. He needed a lot of experience at that time. So he played with him and also got another player to play with him.” The alternate captain added: “So, we’re very happy about that. And obviously at the beginning of the series when he gains confidence, you couldn’t ask for more.” Bumrah was also happy to register his first Test win as captain but remained steadfast, saying India needed to start afresh in the second Test against Australia in Adelaide on December 6.
“A special victory, my first victory as captain. We were under pressure and we showed character.”
“We can gain confidence in this game, but in the second Test we need to start again. We also need to take the learnings back to Adelaide,” Bumrah added.
The speedster also said there was no excitement in the dressing room despite being dropped in the first innings due to a poor score.
“When we went out to 150, no one felt depressed in the dressing room. That was the biggest positive, that attitude, you know,” he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Topics mentioned in this article
Leave a comment