Team India under the tutelage of Virat Kohli has thoroughly dominated the ICC Test Championship better than any other team by tasting only victories. However, during the ongoing tour of New Zealand, they suffered one of the biggest defeats at the hands of the hosts on the fourth day of the first Test match at Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Much to the delight of the Kiwis supporters, the hosts had all the tools to put an end of India’s unbeaten streak (after seven Test wins) in the Test Championship. The hosts were given a target of just nine runs in the second innings and they comfortably chased it by ten wickets and took a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.
Indian captain Virat Kohli reacts after India’s 10-wicket defeat to Kiwis:
Indian captain Virat Kohli who is out of form at the moment admitted that the Black Caps deserved to win the match. Despite the 10-wicket drubbing, Kohli doesn’t want the supporters to make a big deal out of it. It becomes pertinent to mention that Kohli has himself become the fifth most valuable player on Twitter.
Besides, the No.1 Test side are still sitting comfortably on top of the table with as many as 360 points.
“We know we haven’t played well but if people want to make a big deal out of it, make a mountain out of it, we can’t help it as we don’t think like that. For some people, it might be the end of the world but it’s not. For us, it’s a game of cricket that we lost and we move on and keep our heads high,” the 31-year-old Virat Kohli said at the post-match press conference.
Virat Kohli lauds Kiwis for their performance:
Last but not the least, the Indian skipper heaped praise on Kiwis for being sharp and decisive in all facets of the game.
“That has got to do with partly good bowling from New Zealand and partly us not pressing that momentum on to them when required. It was perfect for them because they bowled well and we allowed them to bowl well for longer periods rather than doing something about it in a partnership,” Kohli signed off.
India still have a lot of catching up to do; to return stronger as they lock horns with New Zealand in the second and final Test of the tour which is scheduled to be played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on February 29.