I'm Not Someone Who Hits The Ball In Air To Entertain Crowd: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli marked his comeback in T20Is in style as he played his career-best knock to help India thrash West Indies by six wickets in the first game in Hyderabad. The right-handed batsman played an unbeaten knock off 94 off just 50 balls as India chased down 207 without much trouble in the end. Kohli’s knock was studded with six fours and as many sixes.

India’s decision to bowl first was not justified by the bowlers as West Indies piled up a mammoth total of 207 for 5 in the allotted 20 overs. Shimron Hetmyer top-scored for the visitors, scoring 56 off 41 balls with the help of 2 fours and four sixes.

Innings Break!

West Indies post a mammoth total of 207/5 on the board. Will #TeamIndia chase this down?#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/KUIaIx2IL2

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2019

After Lendl Simmons departed cheaply, Evin Lewis blasted 40 from just 17 to give West Indies a solid start. Towards the end, skipper Kieron Pollard and his predecessor played quickfire knocks to propel their side to a big total. While Pollard smashed 37 from just 19 with the help of four sixes, Holder blasted 24 off just 9 balls.

Kohli masterclass:

Things were not looking promising for India when West Indies ended their innings. And when Rohit Sharma departed cheaply, the apprehensions only increased. However, Virat Kohli led the team from the front once again and took the team home in style. He finished off the proceedings in Hyderabad by smashing a six off Kesrick Williams.

Also Read: Watch: Virat Kohli Takes Out ‘Notebook’ To Give Kesrick Williams A Taste Of His Own Medicine

Kohli and KL Rahul put the chase on track by adding 100 runs for the second wicket before the latter departed after scoring 62. From thereon, Kohli took the onus on himself to take the team home. The right-hander shifted gears and hit the West Indies bowlers all around the park to make light work of the chase.

A captain's knock by @imVkohli as India win the 1st T20I by 6 wickets. #INDvWI #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/osg63znNEn

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2019

Speaking at the end of the match, Virat Kohli spoke about his knock, explaining why he struggled to find rhythm at the start of his innings.

“All the young batsman watching don’t follow the first half of my batting. That was too bad and I was trying to hit too hard. I started to get going after that over from Jason. I analysed what went wrong and played accordingly in the second half of my innings,” said Kohli.

He further stated that rather than entertaining the crowd with big six, he focuses on doing the job for the team.

“Whenever I play T20 cricket I am not someone who comes to the ground to hit the ball in the air to entertain the crowd.

“I focus on doing the job. I don’t have to change much for formats. I just want to contribute in all three formats, that’s what I want to do. When you are chasing a big total, there are a lot of distractions with the scoreboard pressure. But after a few dots, the game puts you in a position where you just have to hold your shape and play the shots,” said Virat Kohli.