JOIN USAfter scoring a fine hundred that helped India close the gap with Australia, Virat Kohli said on Sunday that it was special to score runs when the team needed them.
Excerpts:
On his knock:
I am really happy with the way I batted because it was really important for me to get some big runs. I had a consistent run and then few misses in the one-day series. So, I took some time off from the game. That really helped me to be fresh. I became hungry for runs before this series. I am pleased with how I batted in this Test so far. Just hoping that we will have a great session tomorrow and take strong position in this game.
On Australia fielding four pacers: All of us are bit surprised by their decision. They had Xavier (Doherty) in the team as well. So, we really thought that he is going to play this game. It was a good thing for us because on such a wicket we can take advantage on that because in this condition you can only have those quickies bowl good spell for three or four overs.
On the need to play longer innings: Even I was very disappointed on getting out at that point of time. Usually when you get a hundred you want to make it big but the sort of block I am facing…when I get hundred, I get out. I really want to get over that. I really want to get big in Test cricket. Today, I decided to go for the shot that is why I did not hold myself back. I got too close to the ball and I did not get elevation. One can only learn from mistakes and perhaps next time it will be different and I will try and erase those errors.
On the pitch: Yesterday was the easiest day to bat on this wicket. After the fresh wicket on Friday it evened out a bit on the second day. When we came this morning to bat, two balls I remember went under the bat and the one went other way. I was a bit surprised as to how the wicket was just coming off. If they had more slow bowlers in the team, you could have seen the difference.
I think spinners could get lot of turn and bounce tomorrow with the hard ball and the wicket getting roughed up by the day, and it is going to be an important factor in this Test match.