“I think it is always going to be a little bit of an individual decision”. But definitely, they will find it hard keeping in mind the fact that England have got a good ODI team which hold the capability of beating India on their home soil. After being reduced to 64/3, Kohli and Jadhav shared a 200-run stand to help the hosts chase down England’s mammoth of 350.
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Jadhav came down the wicket to pacers and dealt with the slower bowlers with equal ease. And he dealt in fours and sixes. As a captain, Kohli did rigorous planning and didn’t want to burden MSD in the middle order. India conceded way too many runs in the final overs, with R Ashwin failing to impress with the ball.
“So that is how I learnt clearing the 30 yard circle on a bouncing ball”. The atmosphere the other day in Pune was fantastic. India already won the Test series 4-0, and a win on Thursday would secure the One-Day International portion of the meeting for the Men in Blue.
Kohli produced a masterclass alongside the relative newcomer Kedar Jadhav to chase down England’s record one-day global score against India.
“From the batsman’s mindset, you see the opportunity of scoring big as more fielders are inside the circle and at attacking positions”.
I think the IPL is probably the best cricket experience I’ve ever had.
“Vice-captain is a role I’ve enjoyed a under Eoin and it’s fantastic to have him back”, he said.
The true nature of Pune’s surface, that got better for batting in the second half of the game, came as an excuse for England’s defeat despite posting a total of 350. “It is not ideal and it wasn’t a nice morning having to leave them both behind but it is an occupational hazard in a way and you have to get out here and get stuck into your cricket”. His first ODI century was also scored in similar circumstances when the second string India side led by Ajinkya Rahane were in a spot of bother at 82/4 against lesser-fancied Zimbabwe in Harare in July 2015.
“He was one of the first revolutionary players for England and that carries a lot of weight in the group, which is a pretty young one”.
England, on the other hand have lot to worry about after losing the first match despite putting up 350 on the board. To be honest, I have put the phone on silent.
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“I think it was outstanding, just to have another guy that was willing to believe we can win from any situation was such a boost for me as well”. The two Liams – Plunkett and Dawson – are interesting options as pacer and left-arm spinner respectively, but like India, the visitors too might fight the temptation to chop and change straightaway. “This is something really special and will stay with me for a long time”.
