Australia vs India 2018/19: We Are Not Gonna Stop Here: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli was a delighted skipper after India beat Australia by 137 runs to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series.

Australia faced a herculean task after India set them a huge 399-run target on a deteriorating pitch. With more than two days left in the game, the hosts had to bat out of their skin to save the game. However, they failed miserable with the bat once again.

Australia once again failed to start well as Aaron Finch looked clueless against the incoming delivery. Jasprit Bumrah soon ended his painful stay at the crease, sending him back for 3. On the other hand, Marcus Harris managed to keep his wicket intact against the fast-bowlers but Jadeja got him just as he had in the first innings, caught at short leg.

Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh stopped the rot for a while before Mohammed Shami had Khawaja LBW with a ball that kept low and beat his outside edge with some movement. With that wicket, Australia found themselves three down for 63. Marsh and Travis Head then provided the hosts’ innings with some much-needed solidarity by adding 51 runs in quick time.

However, Australia lost another wicket at a crucial juncture with Bumrah accounting for Marsh on 44. The hosts kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and never looked in contention to save the game let alone winning it. India could have wrapped up the game on day four itself but Pat Cummins’ stubborn fifty denied them the win. But the visitors did not take long to wrap up the proceedings on day 5 with Bumrah accounting for Cummins and Ishant sending back Nathan Lyon.

Speaking at the end of the game, India skipper Virat Kohli stated the his troop would not stop here as he hoped his men will play with more positivity in the upcoming Test.

“We are not gonna stop here. This will give us more confidence and we play more positively in Sydney.We want to win last Test match as well, if an opportunity comes our way. We don’t want to be complacent. It’s good thing that I don’t read any comment. We were pretty clear that we will bat third on this pitch as pitch was only getting worse,” said Virat Kohli.

He further lavished praise on Jasprit Bumrah, who picked up nine wickets in the game, as well as the pacers. The likes of Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara also received some words of praise from the skipper too.

“Jasprit has been brilliant for us, The three seamers have broken a record for the highest number of wickets in a calendar year. Jasprit was unlucky not top get wickets in Perth. Team management calmed him down and he won us the test match. Agarwal was amazing. His composure was outstanding. Pujara was outstanding too. It is all about taking pride in your roles which are given. We have to play good cricket to be in the position right now. We have never been in this position and now is the time to express even more,” said Virat Kohli.