Kohli discusses game plan behind India’s 6-wicket triumph over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 – Cricket News Update
Reflecting on the thought processes which went on behind the team’s recent 6-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the 4th ODI of the ongoing series, young vice-captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Kohli-c2737 claimed that the philosophy behind the team’s batting performance, and
his own individual match-winning outing, was to remain constant at the crease.
Following their 21-run victory in the first match of the series, and their 5-wicket win in the third ODI, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RD-Shah-c2298 Ashwin (10-1-46-2)
enabled India to restrict the host team to 251, and their batsmen took care of the rest.
While openers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Sehwag-c2739 (34) were unable to do much, Kohli steadied the team in a major way, coming in at number 3, and anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 128 – his 5th century in his last 8 ODI innings.
“You put yourself under pressure when go up in the rankings. I personally think when you start scoring runs for your team and your country you have to take the game up one level,” Kohli said in regards to his performance, which won him the Player of the
Match award.
“Getting out for 105 or 106 after scoring a century doesn't help the cause of your team.”
In addition to his outstanding performance, Kohli was also part of a massive unbeaten 146-run partnership with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SK-Raina-c2539 (58), which saw their side safely to 255 with 46 balls remaining.
Raina came up to bat after the dismissals of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RG-Sharma-c2309 (4) and Manoj Tiwary (21), and his partnership with Kohli went a long way in steadying the innings. Explaining their intent, the vice-captain claimed they had focused on not giving too many wickets
away.
“This was what me and Suresh (Raina) discussed in the middle. When you are defending 250 you need to take wickets at regular intervals,” the 23-year-old pointed out. “Our plan was to stop that and try and create a partnership. We knew that the powerplay
was due.”
With the series in their grasp, 3-1, the Men In Blue will be looking to round off their performances with a final victory in the 5th ODI, scheduled to be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on August 4.
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