Captain Dhoni hails ‘incredible’ Kohli innings

India captain MS Dhoni was full of praise for Virat Kohli after the batsman plundered an unbeaten 82 off just 51 balls against Australia in Mohali on Sunday to steer his team to victory and into the World T20 semifinals.
India were always behind the required rate as they set about chasing their target of 161 after the Aussies made 160 for six after winning the toss and batting first.
Kohli, batting at number three, started slowly and had to be patient as his batting partner, Yuvraj Singh, was injured and could not run freely making the task that much harder.
With almost 12 runs an over required in the last five, Kohli cut loose and saw his skipper hit the winning runs with five balls of the game still to spare
Dhoni said: "I think it was an incredible innings. The fact is this wasn't an easy wicket to bat on. Back-of-length deliveries were difficult to get away, especially against the spinners.
"The good thing was I don't think they bowled too many spinners. Also, in between, he [Kohli] was hampered when he had the partnership with Yuvraj and they couldn't convert those one-and-a-half runs to twos.
"Maybe because of that, to some extent, we had to chase maybe one run per over more than what we would have liked. It was tremendous batting effort from him, superb batting.
"Especially the areas where you want to score runs, where you want to play big shots. I think more often than not, it is about selection of shots and execution of shots."
The Indian skipper added: "I feel overall, Virat was very good not just with his strokeplay but also in the running between the wickets – you take minimum risk if you can run fast."
India's semifinal will take place in Mumbai on Thursday where the West Indies lie in wait.
Latest
-
News
England fast bowler Olly Stone ready to resume Test ambitions in Sri Lanka
The Warwickshire quick is ready to prove himself again after 18 hard months since his debut.
-
News
Angelo Mathews: Sri Lanka batsmen ‘can learn a lot’ from Joe Root
Mathews hailed Root’s ‘magnificent innings’ in the first Test.
-
News
Dawid Malan happy to stay put after Trent Rockets’ show of faith
The England batsman has earned an improved deal in The Hundred.
-
News
England coach Chris Silverwood grateful for gift of the Gabba
India’s famous win over Australia grabbed the England squad’s attention in Galle.
-
News
A look at unbeaten sporting runs following end of Australia’s Gabba dominance
Australia had not been beaten at the Gabba since 1988.
-
News
Justin Langer: Rishabh Pant’s innings reminded me of Ben Stokes at Headingley
India’s Shubman Gill and Pant inspired a record-breaking victory over Australia at the Gabba.
-
News
Tim Paine: India deserves winners, outplayed Australia
Australia captain Tim Paine has conceded that his side were outplayed in key moments of the series and that India were deserved winners.
-
News
Rishabh Pant reflects on ‘dream series’ after India stun Australia at the Gabba
India’s Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant inspired a record-breaking victory at the Gabba.
-
News
India move to the top of ICC rankings
After beating Australia by three wickets in the fourth Test on Tuesday, India moved to the number spot on the ICC World Test Championship.
-
News
Rishabh Pant unbeaten 89 steers India to series win over Australia
India pulled off a record run chase at the Gabba to inflict Australia’s first defeat there since 1988.