Published 18:19 IST, February 2nd 2020
'Proud,Historic,Ecstatic': Virat Kohli hails Team India's rare 5-0 sweep against the Kiwis
Team India's skipper Virat Kohli expressed his delight as the visitors completed a 5-0 whitewash against New Zealand with a seven-run win in the 5th T20
Team India's skipper Virat Kohli expressed his delight as the visitors completed a 5-0 whitewash against New Zealand with a seven-run win in the 5th and final T20 on Sunday. Virat Kohli, who was rested for the 5th T20I, had three words for India's historic series win in New Zealand and took to Twitter to express his feelings. Jasprit Bumrah spearheaded India's win, picking three wickets along with bowling a disciplined and tight spell. Stand-in captain Rohit Sharma had won the toss and elected to bat first, allowing India to set a 164-run target for the kiwis to chase down in order to get a consolation win. However, Tim Seifert and Ross Taylor's heroics went in vain as New Zealand failed to retrain its wickets and ultimately collapsed in the hands ofthe might Indian bowling attack.
Virat Kohli jubilant after a historic sweep
'We need everyone to be the best'
"We need everyone to be the best versions of themselves. It is all about laying the vision in front of the boys, the way you think, prepare. The guys are taking notice of it and they realise that the team needs 120 percent from them every time," Kohli said.
"Because only then you will find ways to win. That has been a massive change for us in the last two-three years. We have seen the results; we obviously won't win everything and these victories give a lot more pleasure than the one-sided victories."
With Kohli resting himself from the inconsequential final game, Rohit Sharma was the stand-in skipper, but the opener suffered a calf injury while batting and had to retire hurt. In his absence, K L Rahul led the side to victory. Heaping praise on the team at the presentation ceremony, Kohli said: "All of us are really proud of how we played. It's about finding ways to win. Today, all these young guys were on the field after Rohit's unfortunate injury and them coming together and handling the pressure.
"That gives me a lot of pleasure watching from the outside and they will take this momentum going forward for many years."
Kohli also backed under-fire New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, saying he is the right man to lead the Black Caps despite the 0-5 drubbing. "Kane and me have similar mindsets, similar philosophies. It is amazing that despite being from different parts of the world, we have similar thinkings and we speak the same language," he said. "Despite what the scoreline suggests, I feel that New Zealand cricket is in the best hands and he is the right guy to lead this team. He is the perfect, perfect man to lead them. I wish him the best of luck and power to lead this side in the future. They are a side everyone loves to watch and play against."
Updated 18:19 IST, February 2nd 2020