Champions Trophy: Kohli in awe of man of the match Yuvraj

Tags: Champions Trophy 2017, Group A - India Vs Pakistan 4th ODI at Birmingham, Jun 4, 2017, India, Pakistan, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Gurunath Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Champions Trophy, ODI Series

Published on: Jun 05, 2017

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Indian skipper Virat Kohli was all praise for Yuvraj Singh for his brilliant knock of 53 from 32 balls, as India registered a crushing win over Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli was all praise for Yuvraj Singh for his brilliant knock of 53 from 32 balls, as India registered a crushing win over Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Speaking at the post match press conference, Kohli said, "The way Yuvi batted, it was a game changing innings and that gave confidence to all of us to start striking the ball well. After I got to fifty I was still not able to play freely. Yuvi came in and took all the pressure off me and the way he batted is something only he can.

“Hitting low full tosses for fours and sixes and even digging yorkers out for fours. I think his innings completely deflated the opposition and that gave me a bit of chance to settle in. I think his innings was the difference in the game.

"If Yuvraj continues to play like this then the team is in very good space as you can then rely on him to keep doing this, which he will three out of five times. That is why we back him, the way he has comeback has been beautiful to see.”

Kohli was also pleased with the team’s overall clinical performance."This is just the start of the tournament and every game is big. From that regard we have a side where a few youngsters have come in and are gradually getting towards strengthening their careers for India. So, from a team's point of view it is a massive win for us. The way we played and the confidence we showed is very pleasing to see as a captain," Kohli added.

On the opening partnership of 136 between Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, Kohli admitted it was extremely important. "Opening partnership is something which is very crucial in England in order to allow the kind of middle-order we have to come in and capitalise. Right from the beginning the way Shikhar batted was really good to see.

"Rohit was taking a bit of time and understandably so as he has come back to international cricket after so long. IPL is different and international runs are different against a quality bowling attack. Great that he took his time and Shikhar batted really well at the other end, so from that regard both of them have started really well and that is something which happened last time as well," Kohli explained.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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