Virat Kohli targets bowlers for ODI series defeat
Indian skipper Virat Kohli didn't mince any words in the post match conference as India lost the third ODI to New Zealand. With a five-wicket victory, the Black Caps cleaned up Team India 3-0 after they were routed 0-5 by the Indians in the T20I series. This was India's first whitewash in 31 years in a bilateral ODI series. Here's more.
India's bowling lacked character and consistency
Indian seamers were deprived of wickets India's linchpin of pace attack Jasprit Bumrah ended up being wicketless in the entire series This is the first instance when he was sans a single wicket in a bilateral ODI series Shardul Thakur picked up just four scalps and conceded 227 runs in three matches. Yuzvendra Chahal was India's highest wicket-taker with six wickets in two ODIs.
Composure wasn't enough to win games
"With the ball, we were not able to make breakthroughs, we were not at all good on the field. We haven't played so badly but when you don't grab those chances, you don't deserve to win." Kohli stated post India's loss.
Kohli hails Iyer and Rahul for their performances
Kohli hailed the Indian batsman for a stellar display despite the series loss. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul were the consistent performers for India right throughout the series. With 217 runs in 3 matches, Iyer was the highest run-scorer of the series, followed by KL Rahul who averaged 102. "Batsmen coming back from tough situations was a positive sign," he said.
India's fielding was poor throughout the series
Fielding has been an obstacle for India lately.Kohli pointed out India's average fielding display during the series. Quite a few dropped catches and misfields cost India plenty of runs in third ODI. The Men in Blue didn't fare well in the fielding segment against Australia too. "The way we fielded and bowled, the composure wasn't enough to win games," he stated.
First whitewash for India in 31 years
The last time India were whitewashed in a bilateral ODI series was back in 1989 when West Indies thrashed them 5-0. While South Africa also trounced Team India 4-0 in 2006, the first ODI was abandoned due to rain. "New Zealand played with lot more intensity. We didn't deserve to win because we did not show enough composure," Kohli said.
India will be aiming to win the Test series
It will all come down to the longest format with both India and New Zealand having won a series each. Kohli believes a balanced Team India have every chance to clinch the Test series. "We have a really balanced team and we can win the series here. We need to step on to the park with the right kind of mindset," he said.
