New Delhi: Virat Kohli was glad to have played yet another sheet-anchor knock in India’s four-wicket win over Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals in Dubai on Tuesday.
The No.3 batter struck 84 off 98 balls as India reached their 265-run target with 11 balls to spare under a sluggish Dubai track. He hit only five boundaries and took 56 singles, four twos to continue his good form after an unbeaten 100 against Pakistan.
In the group stage game, Kohli played a similar responsible innings to shape up India’s 242-run chase. On Tuesday, Kohli focussed on strike rotation as key to succeed in the spin-friendly conditions.
“It (his innings) was pretty similar to the other day against Pakistan. It is about understanding the conditions and rotating the strike because partnerships on this pitch are important,” the player of the match said.
“It all depends on the conditions and then I play my innings. My timing, my composure at the crease, I wasn’t rushed. The singles that I took was the most pleasing part for me.
“This game is all about pressure. If you go deep into the game, the opposition usually give in. It is important to control your impulses. Even if the run rate is six an over, I am not bothered,” he added.
‘Focus on wins, not milestones’
Kohli is in supreme form having already scored a century and half century in four matches of the Champions Trophy, becoming only second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to complete 800 runs in run chases in ODIs.
But he insisted not playing for records rather trying to help India win every time he goes out to bat.
“I don’t know. That is up to you guys to break down. I have never focused on those things. When you don’t think of those milestones, they happen. If I get to the three-figure mark, great, but the win is important. For me, those things don’t matter any more,” Kohli added.
Virat Kohli struck 84 off 98 balls as India reached their 265-run target with 11 balls to spare against Australia in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
