MS Dhoni very good, but we left ourselves with too much to get: Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli admitted that India were left with too much to do despite MS Dhoni’s valiant batting effort in the 40-run defeat to New Zealand in the 2nd T20I in Rajkot
india vs new zealand 2017 Updated: Nov 04, 2017 23:21 IST
Rajkot
India captain Virat Kohli admitted they didn’t show up with the bat in a chase that required quick scoring from the first over, after their 40-run defeat to New Zealand in the second Twenty20 here on Saturday. (IND v NZ highlights | Scorecard)
“I mean I thought New Zealand were pretty good with the bat. At one stage we were looking for 220-30 but credit to Bumrah and Bhuvi to have pulled things back,” said Kohli after the loss.
“But eventually we were not good with bat. When you are chasing 200, all batsmen need to chip in or one guy needs to go over 200. MS (Dhoni) was very good in the end, but we left ourselves (with) too much to get. That happens when you want to go for big shots.
“It has happened with a lot of batsmen where you don’t get to go on strike. Not during the early half of the innings. Maybe after 13-14 overs it started gripping. We lost the toss, we did not get to choose what we would have done. We were just not good enough on the day,” said Kohli.
READ | Virat Kohli becomes 2nd highest T20I run-scorer in India vs New Zealand 2nd T20
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson looked pleased with their series-equalling victory. “Great partnership up top, and obviously Munners (Colin Munro) getting a hundred was fantastic. When a batsman gets that many runs, the team will always get a big total. Guptill and Bruce gave good support and the bowlers did really well to defend it,” said Williamson after the match.
Munro, whose unbeaten 58-ball 109 fetched him the Man of the Match award, said the century was a reward for taking his chances. “I was here in the A trip. It felt good with the bat but I kept getting out. I love batting at the top of the order, getting the team off to a flyer with Guppy (Guptill),” he said.
“The way I bat is the same every time, whether I’m chasing 200 or 120 --- get out there, stay still and try and hit the ball for four or six or if it is not there, get off the strike. It came off today, play the ball on its merit and swing hard,” he said.
