Kohli: 'Great to see lower-order contribute with bat'

Leading a side that is on the verge of winning a grudge Test series against England, Virat Kohli is obviously upbeat. After India took an unsurpassable 2-0 lead in the five-match Test series, Kohli spoke at length on several subjects.

Great to see our guys making it count. Every game on an average we are scoring 80-85 runs, so amazing to see guys working hard on their batting, understanding that those 70-80 runs put a dent on opposition’s mindset.

Leading a side that is on the verge of winning a grudge Test series against England, Virat Kohli is obviously upbeat. He is happy to have a 'problem of plenty' such as quality bowlers in the reserve, a “good headache” like comeback-man like wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel, the lower-order contributing with the bat and more.

Virat Kohli post match comments

After India took an unsurpassable 2-0 lead in the five-match Test series, Kohli spoke at length on several subjects. Excerpts:

On winning on good pitches: It’s exactly been 12 months since I was asked a question about playing on ‘unfair pitches’ and the question has turned itself. So we don’t need to say much about the pitches. As I said, we are focussed on good cricket and we are a team that looks to play good cricket and win sessions.

On the Mohali pitch: It was a perfectly good wicket for cricket. Even for pace bowlers as well. Our guys really rushed in, put in an effort and got results. It was a wicket if you persisted long enough you will get results that you want. We did well to get results our way.

On the bowlers’ performances: Obviously it boosts your confidence up a notch, when you have quality bowlers in your reserves as well. As a captain, you always feel that you can ask your main guys to push every game that they play. Especially since we have Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar sitting and waiting for their chance. Even spinner Amit Mishra is not playing. Whoever is playing is standing up and making his presence felt. Specially game like this where you get opposition out for 280 on a flat wicket gives you confidence as a bowling unit that you are on top and dictating terms.

On considering Parthiv Patel for future Tests: Wow! That’s a good headache to be honest. You never know, there are all kinds of possibilities. The way he approached both the innings, it was amazing to see. That’s where experience from first-class level comes into play. The intent he showed in both innings deflated the opposition totally. Credit to him to go out there and counter-attack the seamers. He really stood out for me as a batsman, as a keeper as well he did well.

On the lower-order contribution: Great to see our guys making it count. Every game on an average we are scoring 80-85 runs, 200 plus, so amazing to see guys working hard on their batting, understanding that those 70-80 runs put a dent on opposition’s mindset.