Kohli also heaped praises on Shikhar Dhawan for his power-packed 76 runs off 42 balls.
Indian captain Virat Kohli. (Photo: AFP)
Indian skipper Virat Kohli feels wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant’s dismissal in the penultimate over “changed things” in the opening T20 International match between India and Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Australia have now taken a lead of 1-0 in the ongoing three-match T20I series. Batting first, Aaron Finch’s side made 158 runs for the loss of four wickets in 17 overs. However, the Men-in-Blue were given a target of 174 in the same number of overs owing to the Duckworth-Lewis method in the rain-hit game.
“It was a close game, exciting one for the crowd to watch and for the players as well, was a see-saw battle. We started well with the bat, fumbled in the middle overs, in the end we thought we’ll win with Pant and Karthik but it changed again with Pant’s dismissal,” Virat Kohli was quoted as saying at the post-match presentation.
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The 30-year-old captain also heaped praises on Shikhar Dhawan for his power-packed 76 runs off 42 balls.
“He’s (Dhawan) a very strong player at the top of the order. He hasn’t got a T20 hundred yet, but the way he plays it really benefits the team. That’s how it goes in the game. What we can do is learn from them and get back better,” Virat Kohli said.
Meanwhile, Australian skipper Aaron Finch said: “Thought the boys played really well, especially in the middle overs with the bat.” He added, “Never been my strong point at school (maths).”
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