New Delhi: Since it is Virat Kohli’s fifth tour of Australia, India need his experience in order to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, skipper Jasprit Bumrah said on Monday.
Kohli struck an unbeaten 100-run knock in the second innings of the first Test in Perth to help India to a 295-run win. It was his 30th Test ton that helped India take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
It was also Kohli’s seventh Test century on Australian soil, more than any other batter from Asian countries that helped him get over a lengthy slump in form.
“Obviously, I have already said that Virat Kohli does not need us, We need him. He is an experienced player. This is his fourth or fifth tour. So, he knows his cricket more than anyone else,” Bumrah said after India’s victory.
“He was in good shape. He was mentally switched on. Sometimes, as long as the career is, sometimes you bat in tough scenarios. He has always been batting in tough scenarios. So, it is always difficult to do in every match. But he was batting in a very good form and in a very good space.
“And obviously, he got a good delivery in the first inning. But he was still in a great space. And in the second inning, he capitalized. He needed a lot of experience at that time. So, he played with him and also made the other player play with him.”
‘Special win’
Bumrah led the team in the presence of Rohit Sharma, who was on paternity leave, driving the team with a five-wicket haul in the first innings.
“So, we are very happy for that. And obviously, at the start of the series, when he comes in confidence, you can’t ask for more than this,” the stand-in skipper said.
After his first win as skipper, Bumrah said India would have to work doubly hard in the second Test against Australia at Adelaide on December 6.
“Special win, first win as captain. We were put under pressure and we showed the character,” the right armer said, adding that they were no nerves despite getting bowled out for 150 in the first innings.
“We can take confidence from this game but we need to start fresh in the second Test. We need to carry forward the learnings as well to Adelaide.”
Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 100-run knock in the second innings of the first Test in Perth to help India to a 295-run win. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
