Team balance was key to victory says http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Kohli-c2737 - Cricket News Update
Player of the Match from the first ODI against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, Virat Kohli, has backed the team composition employed during the win at Hambantota. Adding a match winning ton to the Indian cause, it was the 23-year-old’s 12th ODI hundred and
4th in the past five innings.
The visitors opted to play http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028, ensuring that their side posted a huge
315 on the board.
"In batting conditions, you have to bank on your six batsmen," said Kohli. "You have to show faith in them and expect them to perform. You just can't be on the safer side playing seven batsmen and compromise on a bowler.”
Playing Pathan also helped in restricting the Lankan batters, who fell marginally short of the target. The left-armer remained the most economical among the Indian bowlers, conceding just 37, further taking the all-important scalps of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691
and Thisara Perera as Lankans were halted at 293.
“I think you need an extra option of a bowler, knowing the wicket is going to be good in the second innings as well. The balance we had was perfect and having an extra bowler always gives that cushion to the captain if the situation doesn't go well," added
the inform batsman.
Deriving from the recent statements by Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kholi, it is evident that the team’s composition is the top-most priority for the tourists, with Dhoni also insisting the need to have a ‘real part timer’, capable of chipping with both, bat
and ball.
Reflecting on the small margin of victory, Kohli further praised his counterparts, describing them as world-class players. The hosts displayed rustiness early on and were guilty of dropping couple of important catches, which eventually paved the Indians
to strike first blood in the five-match series.
They will be hoping to turn things around when they battle the Men in Blue in the second ODI, scheduled to commence at the same venue on July 24, 2012.
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