Search icon
Download the all-new Republic app:

Published 11:04 IST, October 22nd 2019

As India hammer South Africa here's what Virat Kohli is happiest about

Indian captain Virat Kohli addressed the media after concluding the Test series win against South Africa. He mentioned how every player has played exceptionally

Reported by: Devarshi mankad
null | Image: self

India wrapped up the South Africa Test series early on Tuesday morning after Test debutant Shahbaz Nadeem picked the final two wickets to dismiss de Bruyn and Ngidi. Captain Kohli praised his team's performance and highlighted how his team had had multiple options to choose from and every player has been performing exceptionally for the team. The current series against South Africa has seen a number of players perform at the top of their game. Kohli was addressing the media after India's victory in the third Test match which resulted in India completing the whitewash against the South African side. 

'Players thinking about the team'

Kohli said, "All three Test matches have been great, we have ended up winning 3-0 the team performance has been exceptional. We rarely see that whoever is going to play and is getting the opportunity to play is able to perform. We are happy that we have created an environment where people don't think about themselves and think for the team. Such a performance takes place only when the players think for the team and not about themselves. When a player is thinking only about himself then he is under pressure and gets desperate."

Although the batting has been great, it is the bowlers who have been the highlight of this series, restricting South Africa to minimal totals and bowling out the entire team in all six innings. Kohli said, "Everyone together has bowled very well, you will not see one person having picked eight wickets and others not having done anything. It feels like every time someone comes to bowl they can pick a wicket in every spell. They are thinking only about the team and what the team will think. And that's what we are happiest about, as a team together we are playing exceptionally good."

Test Championships

With the whitewash over South Africa, India now has an extremely healthy lead at the top of the World Test Championship points table. The Kohli-lead side top the table with 240 points after two-Test series win and an overall victory of five Test matches. New Zealand and Sri Lanka sit second and third on the table with 60 points each followed by Australia to complete the top four sides.

India will next play two Test matches against Bangladesh in the Test Championships in November and will then play three T20Is against the neighbors.

Updated 16:14 IST, October 22nd 2019

LIVE TV

Republic TV is India's no.1 English news channel since its launch.