Pothas lauds ‘All Black-like’ India
Sri Lanka interim head coach Nic Pothas has praised the work ethic and ruthlessness of the India cricket team comparing them to the New Zealand rugby team the All Blacks.
Pothas’ team were on the receiving end of a clinical drubbing at the hands of a well-drilled India team led by perfectionist Virat Kohli.
The home side lost all nine matches across three formats with the final nail in their coffin coming as they failed to defend 170 in a one-off T20I on September 8.
Pothas said after the loss: “You look at their team and they are very All Black-like.
“There’s a lot of respect for the facilities and there’s a lot of respect for the opposition. They are very ruthless in the way they go about their work.
“Their work ethic is immense. They are what a lot of teams aspire to be. The most important thing for us is learning from our mistakes, but most importantly: learning from them.”
Skipper Kohli led from the front throughout the encounters and his 82 during India’s successful chase epitomized his ability to control a game.
ALSO READ: Tharanga rules himself out of Pakistan series
Pothas was full of praise for the India skipper saying: “You see how Virat runs between the wickets, and you see the respect he commands on the field as a leader – he’s a role model to people and he pulls people with him.
“When you look at the way they go about their work and the culture that Virat has created within that team, it’s very, very impressive.”
India are the number one Test ranked side in the world currently sporting a 15 point lead over second place South Africa but are fifth in the T20I rankings and third in ODIs an area they will look to improve on.
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.