Kohli terms Tigers as dangerous outfit in ODI format
Sports Reporter
Despite enjoying an upper-hand in the Test, India Test skipper Virat Kohli believed the ODI series against Bangladesh wouldnt be so easy as the hosts are dangerous outfit in that particular format.
In ODI format, they are obviously a very dangerous side. They beat Pakistan in the last series. They have the ability to upset anyone in world cricket. We know that. So, well give them the due respect like other oppositions whenever well play against them, Kohli told the reporters yesterday.
They are a side who can surprise any team on regular basis. Now they are very consistent side in one-day cricket in the shorter format, he added.
He said in spite of the lopsided performance in the Test cricket, Bangladesh have the credentials to be consistent team in this format.
In Test matches as well, they want to be up there. They have been stepping up on the biggest stages, including the World Cup. That shows the potential and hard work they have with their cricket and I wish them well.
He said that young players in Bangladesh are talented and have the capability to do well at any level of international games.
As I said they do have the talent they do have the ability. They are confident. You see there is a new set of players coming up for Bangladesh who have confidence, have the character to perform in the international level, Kohli, one of the best batsmen in the world at the moment, opined.
Kohli, who got the captaincy in Test from Mahendra Singh Dhoni just before the World Cup Down Under, said that he has no confusion about the wicket that it would be a wicket, favourable to the spinners at the moment.
Honestly, they have very good spinners as far as I am concerned. Playing in the sub-continent, you know, every side wants to create trouble to other side by their spin option, he thought.
Kohli credited his sides selfless performance to dominate Bangladesh throughout the Test.
We had a really good time with the bat, especially Vijay, Shikhar, Rahane. It was a selfless performance, to score quickly, knowing we wont have too much time because of the rain. Disappointing for both teams, we would have liked to have a full five days of cricket. Whatever time we had on the field the boys had top intensity and put in a really good effort, he said.
He however had the special praise for his spinners who actually downed Bangladesh mentally at the last day of the Test.
Ashwin and Harbhajan are quality spinners, so watching them both bowl together is very pleasing for a captain. They put batsmen under pressure throughout. Im very pleased as a skipper, because its very easy to go off the field and come on and not have intensity. The wicket played exactly the way we expected it to play. We thought if there was no rain around, it would reverse and we could use our pace bowlers in the middle and give the spinners some rest.
