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Virat Kohli: A level series is a fair reflection of how the teams have played
By Sandy - Nov 25, 2018 11:10 pm
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After playing a heroic knock in the final T20I to draw the three-match T20I series by 1-1, Indian skipper Virat Kohli claimed that the level series is the proof of the competitiveness between Australia and India in this series.

Kohli
Virat Kohli

While Australia won the first game of the series at Brisbane by four runs (DLS method) in the rain-affected game, the second match at Melbourne was abandoned due to rain after the second innings was failed to start.

In the third T20I at Sydney on Sunday, India beat Australia by six wickets. The hosts were restricted to 164/6 at the end of the first 20 overs. In reply, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan provided a good start with the 67 runs partnership. When India was struggling on 108/4, Virat Kohli’s brilliant half-century knock (61* off 41 balls) and Dinesh Karthik’s another brilliant guidance (22* of 18 balls) helped them to win the game by six wickets with two balls to spare.

Kohli
Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik after securing the victory

In the post-match presentation ceremony, the Indian skipper Kohli said, “A level series is a fair reflection of how the teams have played. Overall, skill-wise, we were better on the day than Australia. With the ball, we were more professional today. I thought it was a 180 wicket. When our openers get into the zone they’re difficult to stop. Things become pretty easy when those two guys (Rohit and Shikhar) do the job for us.”

Also watch: Krunal Pandya Takes Two In Two

Meanwhile, the Aussie skipper Aaron Finch praised Indian batting, especially the openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.

Finch
Aaron Finch

Finch said, “India batted extremely well in the power play. It’s always tough to bring it back from 1/67. The way that we fought was brilliant. Rohit and Dhawan are totally different styles of batsmen which is tough for bowlers. That’s why they’ve been such a good opening combination.

However, the Australian limited-overs captain feels that they are going in the right direction and feeling good for the upcoming four-match home Test series against India, starting on December 6.

Finch added, “Still a fair bit of work to do but we’re going in the right direction which is nice. Feeling good for the Tests. Will get down to Brisbane and prepare for 5-6 days.”

While Krunal Pandya (4/36) won the Player of the Match award in the Sydney T20I, Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan won the Player of the Series award after finishing as the leading run-scorer in the series (117 runs).

Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan

Also watch: Rohit And Dhawan Puts Australian bowlers On Remand

Dhawan said after winning the special award, “As a batsman, when you score it always feels good. It’s good that we were able to draw this series.”