After clinching the opening Test of the four-match series against Australia, Indian skipper Virat Kohli stated that he is super proud of the team`s bowling unit.
In a post-match conference, the 30-year-old said: “With four bowlers picking up 20 wickets in a Test match away from home, especially with the ball that does not offer you so much is something that we can be proud of. But we need to build on this, we can`t be happy with one test match.”
“We are not going to be satisfied with one test. We are happy about this victory but this is what we need to build on and really capitalise on,” he added.
Heaping praises on top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who was adjudged as the player of the match for his heroics in both the innings, Kohli said: “Cheteshwar Pujara was the difference between India and Australia. Priceless from Pujara, we were down and out at lunch on day 1. His grit and determination brought us back in it. We always knew that runs on the board would make the home side tentative. Any lead was gold and we got 15. In the second innings again, he and Rahane batted well.”
“We focused only on partnerships in the second innings and the openers performed well. Shows us that if the batsmen step up regularly, we will be gunning for a win in every Test match,”
Kohli further emphasized on learning from the mistakes committed in the first innings. Talking about the close finish of the Test match, the Indian skipper said: “These things happen in Tests, ups, and downs through a game. You need to just stay calm. Odds were stacked against them. They fought really well but we executed our plans well and got that last wicket which we were intending to get.”
“We could have added another 30-35 runs which could have taken the game totally beyond Australia`s reach,” he added.
India, with a lead of 1-0, will lock horns with Australia in their second Test from December 14-18 at Perth.
Source: Zee News