Published 10:20 IST, September 19th 2019
Virat Kohli reveals plans for new faces in South Africa series
Skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday said India will try out new players and test their temperament in the remainder of the T20s and Tests in South Africa series
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Skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday said India will try out new players and test their temperament in the ongoing series against South Africa. Virat Kolhi, who smashed an unbeaten 72 to guide India to a seven-wicket win over South Africa in the second T20 International here on Wednesday, credited his bowlers for restricting the visitors to a modest 149 for five. "Bowlers showed a lot of character. The pitch was very good and they (South Africa) got off to a good start so it was an outstanding effort from the bowler to pull the game back from us," he said at the post-match press conference. "That's exactly what we're looking at, try out new people and see who stands up under pressure," he added.
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All hail King Kohli
With his 22nd T20 50, Virat Kohli became the batsman with the highest number of half-centuries in T20s - with 22 fifties and more to go. Further, the Indian skipper also became the player to have scored the most runs in men's T20 cricket, taking his tally to 2441 runs in T20Is. Earlier in the contest, Virat Kohli took an absolute stunner to get rid of Quinton de Kock. The Indian skipper was adjudged Man of the Match for his magnificent knock and Virat Kohli expressed immense pride in representing the country. Asked about the mantra behind his consistency, Kohli said: "It's the badge in front of my shirt. It's a pride to play for my country so whatever it takes to get over the line, I will do. Get the team across the line anyhow. If you want to make your team win, you'll find a way."
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De Kock all praises for Proteas bowlers
South Africa skipper Quinton de Kock said Indian bowlers' fine display in the death overs didn't help their cause. "I think we got off to a good start. Towards the end they bowled pretty well, they understood the conditions a lot quicker than we did," he said. Asked about the performances of the three debutants -- Bjorn Fortuin, Anrich Nortje and Temba Bavuma -- of his side, de Kock said: "There was a lot of pressure coming in for some of the new guys and I thought they played really well. Obviously we didn't get a winning start but I thought they held their nerve very well. "Unfortunately when there was pace on the ball it looked like it was easier to bat on, so it was about taking the pace off. But then they batted really well."
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10:14 IST, September 19th 2019