My best knock, says delighted Kohli

After notching up a brilliant hundred on the opening day of the first Test against South Africa, Virat Kohli said it has been a special feeling.

“It’s a bit funny because even during the ODIs against Australia, a Test hundred in SA was the only thing in my mind. I wasn’t even focusing on those ODIs or any other games we played against the Windies,” said Kohli.

“Every training session we had I was motivating myself to do something like this because I know how special it has been for players to get a hundred here. Probably this is the best I have batted in Test cricket till now, now it’s all about building on it. It feels nice wen you plan something and it comes together, especially against a world class bowling attack,” added Kohli.

The Delhiite said he was prepared for the barrage of short-pitched ball by the South Africans. “They are quality bowlers, and when you face the kind of bowling you were facing, you have to back yourself throughout…if they are good enough to play at this level, so are you.

“Apparently, I was pretty soft after the first ODI but always had it in mind that we are going to get short stuff. I was prepared and I was watching the ball closely. I was getting into position whenever they put extra effort, so I don’t know where that bodyline bowling went,” said Kohli.

South Africa’s bowling coach Allan Donald too praised Kohli. “I think he showed great discipline and responsibility. It reminds me of Sachin Tendulkar when they came here in 1996.
I was the first one to say in 1996 that India didn’t show much battle and that one person jumps out and play for the situation, play for his team was Tendulkar. That’s what came to my mind when I saw Kohli batting.”