- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 218,133
After claiming a historic Test series winagainst Australia – India’s first ever Down Under – Indian skipper Virat Kohli was all praise for his team stating that he has never been more proud of a team than this one.
“Firstly I want to say, I’ve never been more proud of a team than this one,” said Kohli during the post-match presentation. “The culture we’ve been able to build over the last 12 months. Our transition started here when I became the captain for the first time. Only one word to say, I’m proud. To lead these players is an honour and a privilege. They make the captain look good. Definitely deserve to enjoy this moment.” (ALSO READ: ‘Best Indian team I’ve been part of’ says Man of the Series Cheteshwar Pujara)
It was a bit of an anti-climatic end with no play possible on the final day, but the result of the series was already known and Kohli proclaimed the series win as his best achievement of his career so far. (ALSO READ: India win first Test series in Australia following SCG wash-out)
“By far this is my best achievement. Has to be on top of the pile. When we won the World Cup, I was a young player. I saw the others getting emotional. This series will give us a different identity as a team. What we’ve been able to achieve is something to be really proud of. That’s something that we spoke about, just wanted to go back to basics, not be flamboyant,” said Kohli, who scored 282 runs in the series.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 521 runs in four matches to be the highest run-getter in the series walked away with the Player of the Match award for his 193 in the first innings at the SCG and the Player of the series.
“Want to give a special mention to Pujara. He’s one guy always willing to accept things. He’s the nicest man around,” said Kohli, adding, “Special mention to Mayank Agarwal too. To come in on Boxing Day and play like that against a high quality attack. Someone like Rishabh as well, coming into his own and dominating attacks.”
While Pujara was the key man with the bat for India, bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah formed the bedrock of this historic win and Kohli was all praise for his quicks.
“We knew once the batsmen score, our bowlers are lethal. The way the bowlers have dictated terms in this series. And not just this one, the previous two tours as well. I’ve not seen happen in Indian cricket. They don’t look at a pitch and think there’s nothing for us. It’s a revelation for Indian cricket and a learning for the other bowlers back home. They definitely deserve to be here and breaking record of the great West Indian fast bowlers is no mean feat. Definitely, this is just the stepping stone for us.”
Kohli also exuded confidence that this series win is just the star of this young team.
“The average age in the team is quite low. The most important thing for us has been belief. We’ve believed in SA that we’re on the right track, we believed in England, and now we’ve got the results to back it. Most important thing is what you feel as a group, not what the voices outside say about you. If your intention is right, God gives you things you can’t imagine. Our intent has always been good, and that is to take Indian cricket forward,” he added.
https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...ud-of-a-team-than-this-one-virat-kohli-788263
“Firstly I want to say, I’ve never been more proud of a team than this one,” said Kohli during the post-match presentation. “The culture we’ve been able to build over the last 12 months. Our transition started here when I became the captain for the first time. Only one word to say, I’m proud. To lead these players is an honour and a privilege. They make the captain look good. Definitely deserve to enjoy this moment.” (ALSO READ: ‘Best Indian team I’ve been part of’ says Man of the Series Cheteshwar Pujara)
It was a bit of an anti-climatic end with no play possible on the final day, but the result of the series was already known and Kohli proclaimed the series win as his best achievement of his career so far. (ALSO READ: India win first Test series in Australia following SCG wash-out)
“By far this is my best achievement. Has to be on top of the pile. When we won the World Cup, I was a young player. I saw the others getting emotional. This series will give us a different identity as a team. What we’ve been able to achieve is something to be really proud of. That’s something that we spoke about, just wanted to go back to basics, not be flamboyant,” said Kohli, who scored 282 runs in the series.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 521 runs in four matches to be the highest run-getter in the series walked away with the Player of the Match award for his 193 in the first innings at the SCG and the Player of the series.
“Want to give a special mention to Pujara. He’s one guy always willing to accept things. He’s the nicest man around,” said Kohli, adding, “Special mention to Mayank Agarwal too. To come in on Boxing Day and play like that against a high quality attack. Someone like Rishabh as well, coming into his own and dominating attacks.”
While Pujara was the key man with the bat for India, bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah formed the bedrock of this historic win and Kohli was all praise for his quicks.
“We knew once the batsmen score, our bowlers are lethal. The way the bowlers have dictated terms in this series. And not just this one, the previous two tours as well. I’ve not seen happen in Indian cricket. They don’t look at a pitch and think there’s nothing for us. It’s a revelation for Indian cricket and a learning for the other bowlers back home. They definitely deserve to be here and breaking record of the great West Indian fast bowlers is no mean feat. Definitely, this is just the stepping stone for us.”
Kohli also exuded confidence that this series win is just the star of this young team.
“The average age in the team is quite low. The most important thing for us has been belief. We’ve believed in SA that we’re on the right track, we believed in England, and now we’ve got the results to back it. Most important thing is what you feel as a group, not what the voices outside say about you. If your intention is right, God gives you things you can’t imagine. Our intent has always been good, and that is to take Indian cricket forward,” he added.
https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...ud-of-a-team-than-this-one-virat-kohli-788263
Last edited:
) They couldn't care less even if we crash out the CWC in the group stage but IPL is going to happen whether we like it or not. Star Sports, Team owners - nobody will be happy with that. I really feel for Zim but we don't have a choice. 
Also need to cancel that ODI series with OZ at home, push the IPL to an earlier date and arrive early in England for extra warmups. We can compensate ZIm by touring over there some time later.
