I Have Never Experienced This Before: Virat Kohli After Team India's Win In The Shortest Test Match Since World War II

Indian captain Virat Kohli lamented on the quality of batting that was on show from both sides in what he termed as a ‘bizarre’ Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad even as his team notched up a commanding ten-wicket win to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.

In what turned out to be the shortest Test match since World War II, both sides’ batting-unit could not cope with the nature of the pitch as 30 wickets fell in five sessions. Interestingly, 21 out of 30 wickets fell to balls that didn’t turn. Kohli said that the lack of application by the batsmen and the fact that they did not trust their defence enough led to a quick finish.

It was a Test match where seamers just made up the numbers and when asked about what the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma felt as the Indian spinner took centerstage, Virat Kohli revealed that Bumrah, in fact, jokingly said that he is getting his work-load managed while playing a Test match.

”To be honest, I don’t think the quality of batting was up to standards. We were 100 for 3 and then got bowled out for less than 150. It was just the odd ball turning and it was a good wicket to bat in the first innings. It was bizarre that 21 of the 30 wickets fell to straight balls, Test cricket is about trusting your defense. Lack of application ensured it was a quick finish. Bumrah said I am getting workload management while playing. Ishant said I am playing my 100th game and still don’t get to bowl. I have never experienced this before. A bizarre game which got over in 2 days,” said Virat Kohli in the post-match conference.

Bumrah and Ishant did not get a single over to bowl in the second innings and it was because the duo of Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin ran riot on a turner. Axar claimed his third consecutive five-wicket-haul and his maiden ten-for and as expected, Virat Kohli was full of praise for the left-arm orthodox.

Kohli was also full of praise for champion off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who became the second-fastest bowler in the history of Test match cricket to claim 400 wickets. Hailing Ashwin as a modern-day legend, Virat Kohli said that he is pleased that the off-spinner is a part of his team. Kohli also added that the Indian team prides itself in doing the hard yards and given such conditions, they will be more than ready to grind out a win in four or five days.

”A lot of people were relieved when Jaddu got injured. But then this guy comes in. Bowls it quicker and from a bigger height as well. If the wicket has something in it, Axar is very lethal. I think we need to stand up and take notice of what Ashwin has done. In Tests, he is a modern day legend. As a captain, I am so pleased he is in my team. We have to be ready for the hard grind. Few days extra off with a hectic schedule is welcoming,” Kohli signed off.

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