India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah showered praise on Virat Kohli after their convincing 295-run win against Australia at the Optus Stadium, Perth on Sunday. Kohli was under the pump before the start of the series as he could only manage 93 runs in three Test matches against New Zealand.
Bumrah said Kohli always looked good in the practice sessions and it was a matter of time before he got runs in the middle. The talisman scored an unbeaten knock of 100 runs to complete his 30th Test century in the second innings after he was dismissed for five runs in the first essay.
This was Kohli’s seventh century in Australia as he continued his love affair against the Aussies. Kohli has all the experience under his belt and he was able to make the most of it for the visitors.
The veteran joined forces with Yashasvi Jaiswal when India was placed comfortably at 275-2. The right-hander looked at ease from the get-go as he played at the top of his game.
Speaking at post-match press conference, Jasprit Bumrah said, “I have said this before that Virat Kohli doesn’t need us, it is we who need Virat Kohli. He is an experienced player, his 4th or 5th tour, so he knows best what his batting and calibre is like. Sometimes when you have a career this long and you play in so many tough scenarios that he has played in, performing in every match becomes a bit difficult. But he was always looking in great space in this match.”
Bumrah said it is a great positive for them as a big player like Virat Kohli has got amongst the runs in the first match of the series.
“Obviously he got a great delivery in the first innings, but he was still in great space and he capitalized in the second innings. The second innings we needed an experienced batter who plays good himself and also allows the other batter to play freely. If at the start of the series a player like him gets some confidence, you cannot ask for anything more,” said Bumrah.
The second Test match between Australia and India, which will be a pink-ball game, will be played at Adelaide Oval from December 6 onwards.
