Internet Desk: Skipper Virat Kohli’s explosive knock of 82 runs from 54 deliveries helped India to pick up an easy seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the one-off T-20I at the R. Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo on Wednesday. The visitors chased down a challenging target of 171 runs with four balls to spare.
Virat not only took his side to the victory but also supports his team mates to do well in every game. India’s most talented chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav played in last two ODI matches and was also a part of the one-off T-20 squad last night. Kuldeep took two wickets against the hosts. The left-arm orthodox spinner from Uttar Pradesh thanked Kohli for giving him tremendous support in all formats of the game and termed him a true leader.
“He is a leader. He just leads from the front and gives you everything you want on the field or when I am bowling, he comes to me and asks whats your field and that’s what bowlers want. He gives bowlers freedom and Virat bhai has given me tremendous support through the Tests and ODI series and now too. So I am very happy with this kind of team unity and the leader,” said Kuldeep at the post match press-conference.
Kuldeep further added that watching Virat’s effort when the team is fielding always motivate the other fielders to do well in the field too.
“He is a leader, like I said, so he leads from the front even when fielding also. Every part of the field, wherever he is fielding, so it is a motivation in itself seeing him on the field. What we see on the field from him, we try to improve ourselves even if by one percent of what we are already doing. It is the same for training and in nets, off the field, I am very happy that he talks to younger boys what he wants from them and what we need.”
Kuldeep got his chances in the playing XI in the last two ODIs. On being asked whether he was under pressure after getting a late chance, Kuldeep said,”As a player you have to perform in every game. It’s a pressure game. Everyone has to contribute especially when the captain and coach decide to rotate players. I am very happy with the policy, you have to give credit to captain and coach because the world cup is coming and they wanted to try out everyone.”
Kuldeep and Yuzvendra Chahal shared five wickets against the Lankans last night. Kuldeep looked happy to share the ball with Chahal.”It was good bowling with him. If two leg spinners are playing then there is more opportunity to take wickets. In this match we took five wickets together. So if two leg spinners are playing more chances come to take wickets if you bowl in partnerships. And it is also difficult for the batting side to score runs.” Said Kuldeep.