Winning the series after losing first ODI is satisfying
Indian skipper Virat Kohli stated that he was extremely satisfied to see his men show great character in winning the series after losing the first ODI in Mumbai.
In the summer of 2019, just months ahead of the World Cup, a considerably weak Australia team sucker-punched India to claim a famous 3-2 series win in their own backyard, despite losing the first two games. And when Aaron Finch’s men handed team India a proper drubbing in the first ODI in Wankhede, it looked like the visitors winning their second consecutive series in India was all but inevitable, with the Indian batting looking in shambles. However, Virat Kohli and his men showcased their true class in the last two ODIs in Rajkot and Bangalore, outclassing the Aussie outfit in all three aspects of the game to bounce back and win the series. Speaking post the series win, skipper Kohli attested that he was extremely delighted and satisfied with the win, given that this came against a considerably stronger Aussie side as compared to the 2019 one.
“You need to have a clear and uncluttered mind. Australia was even better than last time. There's Steve, David and Marnus. A quality bowling attack, and really intense in the field too. We lost the last three in the last series, and coming back and winning the last two games after losing the first one, is very satisfying. We just want to go upwards and onwards. Getting one back given that we lost the series at home last year is really satisfying,” Kohli said in the post-match presentation, reported Cricbuzz.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
After losing Shikhar Dhawan owing to injury and KL Rahul’s dismissal, India needed some level-headed batting to take them to the finish line, and in the form of Rohit Sharma and skipper Virat Kohli, the team got just that. The duo put on a 137-run stand, with Rohit scoring a century, to break the back of the Aussie bowlers and guide the team home. The skipper expressed his delight on the showing of the experienced players, including himself, and the team’s ploy was to not gift the Aussies any wickets.
“We're quite experienced, Rohit and I, and we were short of Shikhar's experience. We got a good start. We expect openers of the quality of Rohit and KL to give us starts like that. When KL got out it was a tricky situation. The ball was gripping and turning a bit, and this is where experience comes in.
“We spoke of stringing together a partnership and all Australia want are wickets and if we don't give them wickets we can chase 7-8 runs an over later on. We have that belief in our skill. Rohit played beautifully today, anchored the innings before I took over. It's how we have played in the last 4-5 years. It's important to make sure one guy continues to bat till the end and takes us over the line. More important was the comprehensive win.”
