mobanmarketBengaluru: India’s one-day side have learned to be tougher when they lose the toss following the heartbreak of a World Cup semi-final defeat, said captain Virat Kohli said after winning the one-day series against Australia.
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Kohli lost all three tosses to Australia’s Aaron Finch but the hosts bounced back from a 10-wicket hammering in the opener to clinch the series 2-1 on Sunday. India comfortably defended 340 in the second match and chased down 287 in the decider.
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Kohli said the World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand last year after losing the toss and failing to chase down a moderate target had made them stronger.
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“We spoke after the World Cup the way we exited, you can’t always look for a situation that should go your way at the toss,” Kohli told reporters.
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“We’ve literally taken the toss out of context, and we’re as prepared as possible to do something the opposition asks us to do.
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“The last six or eight months have been a revelation and the younger guys stepping up is a very good sign for Indian cricket.”
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India were due to fly to New Zealand later Monday for a tour that will start with the first of five Twenty20 internationals in Auckland on Friday. They will be followed by three one-day internationals and two Tests.
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Kohli said the team would be confident after a 4-1 ODI series win in New Zealand a year ago.
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Perfect tonic
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“We were very positive in how we played, very sure of what we wanted to do,” said Kohli.
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“The thing about playing away is if you’re able to put the home team under pressure, you can enjoy your cricket.
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“That’s what we did last year, squeezed them in the middle overs, picked up wickets, the spinners were outstanding.”
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Kohli said the two wins over Australia had been a perfect tonic after being criticised for the heavy defeat in the first game.
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“The last two games were tough wins, it boosts your confidence which we’re carrying forward,” said Kohli.
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Australia skipper Aaron Finch said India had been “exceptional” and praised man-of-the series Kohli, who hit 79 and 89 respectively in the second and third matches, and prolific opener Rohit Sharma, who made 119 in the decider.
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“They’ve got Virat who is probably the greatest ODI player of all-time, and Rohit who’d probably be in the top five batters of all-time,” Finch said.
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“They’re exceptional, and the thing with the Indian side at the moment is their experienced players are getting the job done in the big games.”
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India are fretting however over batsman Shikhar Dhawan who went off the field during the Australian innings Sunday after hurting his shoulder.
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Dhawan, part of India’s T20 squad, watched the rest of the game wearing a sling on his left arm after been taken for an X-ray. The team said the scans were being assessed.
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