Virat Kohli commends the performance of West Indies batsmen

No one was more distraught about failing to claim a victory in the second Test match at Kingston than Virat Kohli. Roston Chase picked five wickets apart from smashing a wonderful century as he not only picked the man of the match award but also went on to secure a draw for the West Indies.

Following the game Indian skipper Kohli said that it was indeed a pity that most of the penultimate day was lost due to rain. Moreover, he also stated that he enjoyed himself apart from the fact that he was proud of the way the team performed.

“It was testing day. That’s what Test cricket is all about. Pity we lost most of yesterday (due to rain). That’s no excuse, credit to the way West Indies played today. When you lose a Test and behind in the second, it takes something special to save the match,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

“Our bowlers tried their best, we created some chances, but they didn’t go to hand. The first four days the wicket was very active. The hardness of the ball was a factor. On these pitches when the ball is not hard enough, play goes dead for 25-30 overs. Pretty pleased with the effort the boys put in. After tea as well. Everybody put in the last push.

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“We don’t want to walk away from the field wishing we had the fifth bowler. If five bowlers have given their best, and the opposition has done well, you just doff your hat to them,” he said.

“Definitely, there is an improvement from the last Test.

Fully enjoyed this. We asked the guys to show fight. We got a really good partnership between Blackwood and Roston. After that Dowrich came in and showed the character we asked for,” Holder said.

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Virat Kohli also went on to commend the way the West Indies played. “It was about taking it ball by ball. It was just about showing character. Putting my hands up. Wickets were hard to come by. We had to show a lot of patience. The last Test we didn’t do that and leaked boundaries. This Test – hot and humid – must have been really hard for all the bowlers.

“Just outstanding batting today. Just asked them to show fight. Show some character. The crowd support – albeit a small one – meant a lot. Just want the guys to keep stressing on patience. Work harder for what we want. Show a bit more fight every time,” he said.

Speaking in the post-match presser, Roston Chase stated that it was indeed a great feeling to be awarded the man of the match in what was just his second match. “It’s a great feeling that I could help draw a match for my team after having fallen behind by a long way. The captain asked the players to show some fight. We just went with the mindset that we were at war, and we can’t die today. Last night myself and Dowrich had a conversation if one of us gets a hundred, we will be safe.”

He was categorical in saying that, “My aim is to be equally good in both batting and bowling, but I prefer batting more.”

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