Virat Kohli will be mighty pleased with his players’ effort to win the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur. After being on the backfoot during the first two days, the Indian team made a remarkable comeback to make 500th Test a memorable one and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Talking in the post-match presentation, the Indian skipper heaped praise on his team especially the lower-order after useful contributions with the bat by the lower order batsmen
“One of the most important things in Test cricket is to have a strong lower-order who can contribute and this is one area we are working hard with the bowlers, everyone from Ashwin onwards wants to contribute and that puts a psychological dent on the opposition,” Kohli said.
“They think they can get you out for 300 but you end up getting 340-360 and thus the momentum shifts from the opposition. We have improved in this area and we need to keep working on it because those 40-50 runs will be crucial when we play abroad,” he added.
Ravindra Jadeja gave a fine all-round performance to bag the Man of the Match award. The Gujarat all-rounder scored an unbeaten 42 and 50 runs in the first and second innings. Ashwin also contributed with the bat by scoring 40 runs.
“The boys have applied themselves really well. Few moments we were in a spot of bother. Initially, we had momentum with us when we were batting but then a couple of soft dismissals and we were on the back foot. But Jadeja and Ashwin batted really well in the first innings. Umesh also contributed and those 30-40 runs make a psychological difference,” Kohli said.
“They were batting really well at one stage and it takes the character to come out and get those early wickets in the first session.
On the final day, the Indian team was in a spot of bother when they were finding it tough to break the partnership between Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner. The duo added 102 run for the fifth wicket and their partnership ended when Jadeja dismissed Ronchi.
“I am still early in my captaincy and I take advice from others. We have attacked in one mode in the past and then runs have leaked aplenty and this one learning we are taking forward that when wickets don’t come we have to be patient, cut the runs down and put pressure on the batsmen,” he added.
Talking about the match, he said: “It has been a memorable Test match. It has been very good right from the second day onwards when New Zealand were batting really well and I and Ashwin were chatting that it is going to be an exciting Test and we have to play our best to keep them under pressure.”
He also praised the visitors for showing their fighting nature.
“They showed good resilience and resistance and that is something you want to see from opposition. I think credit goes to New Zealand as well, the reason that match went on to the second session on day 5 because of the character and guts that they showed. I am sure the series will get more competitive as we go on,” he added.