India vs Australia 2019: Australia Deserved to Win the Series – Virat Kohli
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:35 PM
Indian skipper Virat Kohli believes Australia deserved to win the series. Australia clinched the five-match ODI series by 3-2 after winning the decider by 35 runs. This is the maiden series win for Australia after the suspension of David Warner and Steven Smith. In fact, Australia was 0-2 down and coming back to win the series by 3-2 must have added a shot in their arm.
The visitors were right on the money as they came up with a collective performance. Usman Khawaja continued his good form going as he scored his second ODI century of the series. Khawaja was awarded the Man of the series as he scored 383 runs in the series whereas Pat Cummins scalped the maximum of 14 wickets.
Kohli gives credit to Australia.
Peter Handscomb also scored a good knock of 52 runs as the guests posted 272 runs after Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to bat first. Subsequently, the Australian bowlers were able to hit the straps. Adam Zampa was the pick of the Australia bowlers as the leg-spinner scalped three wickets. Furthermore, Pat Cummins, Marcus Stoinis and Jhye Richardson took two wickets each.
Virat Kohli said while talking at the post-match presentation, “Yeah we thought it was a gettable target. They got away from us a little bit at the end and 15-20 more than we thought we were going to concede. Australia played with more passion, hunger and heart. They were braver in pressure situations, especially in the last 3 games, the way they handled the pressure, they really deserved to win. We didn’t consider the dew in this game, because we can’t control that. We have to live up to the potential we have as a side. We should be good enough to bowl with a wet ball or bat on a slowish sluggish surface”.
Kohli added that they can be proud of the way they have played in the recent past. Kohli said the team will look to improve the weaker points and they are looking forward to the World Cup.
“It’s been a long season, and we can be proud of the cricket we have played over the last few months. Both teams played with equal intensity but the deserving side won in the end as I said before. We are more or less sorted with what we want to do. The guys just need to get their roles for the world cup. Just one spot in the side that needs some discussion. The last three games were all about giving the fringe guys some chances, but that’s not an excuse at all. You don’t need any motivation for the World Cup. All the sides will enjoy the tournament. Full stadiums. We just want to relive the big moments and do well in the World Cup”.
Rohit Sharma was India’s only hope as he scored 56 runs but the talisman batsman played a poor shot. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kedar Jadhav gave a glimpse of hope to India with their alliance of 91 runs. However, Australia always had enough runs in the bank.
It was a fine performance from Australia to bounce back and win the series. This must have added a lot of confidence to the Australian team and they will next take on Pakistan in five-match ODI series.