Kohli pleased after 'best knock'

Cricket365
April 5, 2014

India's match winner Virat Kohli believes the unbeaten 72 he made against South Africa in the semi-final of the World T20 on Friday was the best innings he has played in the format.

<b>India's match winner Virat Kohli believes the unbeaten 72 he made against South Africa in the semi-final of the World T20 on Friday was the best innings he has played in the format.</b>

"If you look at the importance of this match (World T20 semi-final), then certainly this is my best knock but I personally feel that I have batted better than this innings on many occasions," Kohli told the media after India's six-wicket victory over the Proteas.

"There has been several T20 innings where I have middled the ball much better than what I did today. There had been instances where I have hit three to four boundaries at the start and my timing was far better. But today, considering the context, this innings will certainly be on top of the list."

Kohli added that hitting the winning runs on the day was a gift from his captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who blocked the final ball of the 19th over with the scores tied so that his partner at the other end could face the next over.

"Yes, he deliberately did not hit the winning run. He just told me that 'I can't give you anything for this match. You hit the winning runs as it is a gift from me'. Obviously, it is a nice feeling to hit the winning runs and I am grateful that he gave me the chance to hit them," Kohli added.

A trademark of Kohli's play is his ability to perform under pressure situations, although the 23-year-old was a tad embarrassed when asked if he feels pressure at all.

"Is that a valid question? Everybody does what is required to do well but I believe that cricket is played more between the two ears. Just like the first 20 deliveries, I did not hit a single boundary but I was not worried about what the dug-out thought," he continued.

"I am able to block all negative thoughts. Now this is something that you learn with time as you start scoring runs.

"I don't think there was much change in the pitch as there was no dew. Only once the ball got wet when it crossed the advertisement billboards and fell where water was collected."