India vs New Zealand 2019: Virat Kohli Relishes ‘Clinical Performance’ in Mount Maunganui

Jan 26, 2019 at 3:40 PM

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India vs New Zealand 2019: Virat Kohli Relishes ‘Clinical Performance’ in Mount Maunganui

Team India captain Virat Kohli is ecstatic following the remarkable show on January 26 (Saturday) from the boys who don blue jersey proudly against hosts New Zealand. India rose to the occasion by putting up a grand effort in the second One-day International of the five-match series to thrash Kiwis by 90 runs. However, Kohli maintained this is gratifying to see Men in Blue’s bowlers giving their best in the consecutive games. In short, India vs New Zealand 2019 series has turned out to be a competition of lopsided encounters, so far.

Such performances boost morale:

India vs New Zealand 2019, MS Dhoni
The Men in Blue lead five-match ODI series 2-0; Virat Kohli cherishes the show. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Batting first India posted 324 runs in 50 overs which according to Kohli was a par score while taking the size of the ground into the consideration. However, spinners in particular strangulated the hosts’ batters before Kiwis team was bundled out on 234 in 40.2 overs.

“Clinical performance again. We had a par score as Rohit mentioned with the kind of pitch and boundary dimensions here. But we bowled really well and back-to-back clinical performances is really pleasing,” jubilant Kohli said in a post-match presentation.

The wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav alongside Yuzvendra Chahal bowled in tandem to snare six wickets. Kuldeep was the pick of the bowlers with four scalps to his name.

India vs New Zealand 2019: Kohli aims to iron out the flaws ahead of the 2019 World Cup:

Virat Kohli, India vs New Zealand 2019, Toss Report
Virat Kohli won the toss during the second ODI. BCCI Twitter

The top-order batsman Kohli, who scored 43 revealed he was eyeing to take a risk following a drinking break. However, it didn’t work out as he was dismissed by Trent Boult.

Kohli pointed out that they are supposed to iron out the flaws ahead of the 2019 World Cup. He added they would be looking forward to adding the maximum of 20 runs extra to allow bowlers to defend. In such a contract, the bowlers have stepped up to shoulder the responsibility by picking the wickets at regular wickets.

“I made a conscious effort after the second drinks break to take some risks. Once I got out, the new batsman had to take time. These are the things we need to look into with the World Cup nearby. We would like to score those 15-20 runs extra but at the same time, good to see us chip our way to a balanced total. They are always ready to bowl for you and pick wickets, which is key,” Kohli added.

India vs New Zealand 2019 – Batters know their role: Kohli

Rohit Sharma, New Zealand vs India 2019
Rohit bagged the MOM award in the second ODI. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The premium batsman Kohli has heaped praise on the bowlers while adding Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan knew what they are bound to do for the Men in Blue. Rohit who bagged the Man of the Match award was the top-scorer in the second ODI with 87 runs.

He remarked the duo know their role pretty well which is an added advantage at the top for the Team India. Rohit-Dhawan slammed a hundred-run partnership to surpass Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag’s most hundred-run partnerships (13).

“They are not content to go wicketless for 40 runs in their quota, they’d rather have more wickets for 60. That mindset is crucial for us and as is Rohit and Shikhar at the top,” Kohli signed-off.

Now, India leads the ODI series 2-0. On January 28 (Monday), the third ODI is scheduled to kick off 7:30 AM IST at the Bay Oval.

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