India’s talisman Virat Kohli said he wanted to make a big contribution for the team against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Thursday after they registered a convincing win of seven wickets. India was able to restrict the Tigers to 256-8 after stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto decided to bat first.
However, India was given a brisk start by their openers – Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill – as they added 88 runs off 76 balls. After Rohit Sharma’s dismissal, Kohli was able to hit the ground running as he got two free hits early into his innings and it helped him settle into his knock.
The right-hander once again timed the ball to perfection to score his runs all around the ground. In fact, Virat was troubled by short-pitched delivery against Australia and Afghanistan but he did his homework to bounce back in style.
India needed 20 runs to win when Virat realized he could get to his hundred with him also requiring 20 runs. Kohli farmed the strike and he also denied singles to get to his personal milestone.
The veteran completed his century with a six and scored his maiden World Cup century while chasing. The linchpin was awarded Player of the Match for his fine knock of 103 runs as he continued his purple patch.
He said after the game, “Sorry for stealing it (PoTM award) from Jaddu, I wanted to make a big contribution. I have had a few fifties in World Cups, haven’t really converted them. I just wanted to finish the game off this time around and hang on till the end which is what I have done over the years for the team. I was telling Shubman, that even if you dream about a situation like that, you’ll just go back to sleep, you won’t think it’s real. It was a dream start for me, first four balls, two free-hits, a six, and a four. Just calms you down and gets you into the innings.”
He added, “The pitch was pretty good and it allowed me to play my game – just time the ball, hit the gaps, run hard, and get the boundaries whenever needed. There’s a great atmosphere in the change room, we love each others’ company, the spirit is there for everyone to see on the field. That’s why it’s translating like that on the field. We understand it’s a long tournament, you need to create some momentum in the change room for the guys to come out and play like this. It’s a special feeling playing at home, playing in front of all these people, we just want to make the most of it.”
India will next take on New Zealand at the Himachal Pradesh Association Stadium, Dharamshala on Sunday.
