‘Haven’t played like this in…’: Virat Kohli’s MASSIVE statement after dominating South Africa series
Indian batting mainstay Virat Kohli on Saturday said he is “feeling really free” mentally after producing another match-winning effort to help India clinch the three-match ODI series, in which he finished as the leading run-scorer with 302 runs.
Kohli scored a rapid 45-ball 65 not out in the third ODI after hitting centuries in the first two games to extend his tally to a record 53, as India crushed South Africa by nine wickets to win the third ODI comprehensively.
“Honestly, playing the way I have in the series is the most satisfying thing for me. I feel really free in my mind. I haven’t played like this in 2-3 years,” Kohli told the broadcaster after the match.
“I know when I can bat like that in the middle, it helps the team a long way. Makes me confident, any situation in the middle, I can handle that and bring it in favour of the team,” he added.
Kohli said self-doubt is inevitable for a batter, irrespective of experience, but felt it helps in overall improvement.
“When you play for that long — 15-16 years — you do doubt yourself. Especially as a batter when one mistake can get you out. It’s a whole journey of getting better and getting better as a person along the way. It improves you as a person and it improves temperament as well,” he said.
“I’m just glad that I’m still able to contribute to the team. When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes. There’s always levels you can always unlock,” he added.
Adjudged the player of the series, Kohli, who topped the batting charts with 302 runs at an average of 151 with two tons and a fifty, said the hundred at Ranchi was the most special knock among the three.
“The first one at Ranchi, because I hadn’t played a game since Australia. Just how your energy is on the day, Ranchi is very special for me and I’m very grateful as to how these three games have gone,” he said.
In this series, India’s star opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his maiden ODI century in the third match against South Africa, reaching the milestone in 111 balls. With this, Jaiswal became the sixth Indian batsman to score centuries in all three formats of international cricket.
( With PTI Inputs )
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