File photo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane.
Captain of a crestfallen India Virat KohliSafety of Cheteshwar Pujara And Ajinkya Rahane There was a lack of conviction in the selection committee’s court with regard to the future of the two in-form senior batsmen.
Pujara and Rahane failed in five out of six innings and made no tangible contribution throughout the year, except for one knock here and there, and after a 1-2 series loss against South Africa, it all seems to be over Veteran of 95 and 82 sports respectively.
“I can’t sit here and talk about what’s going to happen in the future. It’s not for me to sit here and discuss. You probably have to talk to the selectors, what’s on their mind. It’s not my job,” Kohli said. Is.” When asked what is the message being sent to the young players waiting to replace Rahane and Pujara.
With Pujara and Rahane being his log-time teammates – the former had actually made his Test debut before him – it was difficult for Kohli to walk down a treacherous slope, where he had to admit that the two had so far managed to break their sales. have crossed. ,
“As I have said before, I will say again, we will continue to support Cheteshwar and Ajinkya because the kind of players they are, what they have done in Test cricket for India over the years, played important innings in the second innings (In Johannesburg) too. These are the kind of performances we recognize as a team,” the captain said, but unlike other times, when Kohli forced a home run at one point, the word here is just an afterthought. seemed.
And then it came with a rider. “What the selectors decide to do, I obviously won’t sit here and comment.”
Frustrated but no point in emphasizing the ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’
Kohli admitted that it was disappointing not to beat South Africa in South Africa, but he never believed in the concept of ‘what if’.
“We are definitely very disappointed because it is a natural part of the game, especially for a team that is so motivated and confident that we can win anywhere in the world. Having done that, it is even more disappointing. That we didn’t get the results we wanted. It’s part of the game to accept and move on.”
But when pointed out that the two defeats didn’t really reflect the amount of fighting India had put in, Kohli said: “It’s part of the game. I can’t say what would have happened if that was the case or it would have been true.” that we lost 1-2, those balls didn’t hit the edge and didn’t come in the slips.. so ifs and buts have no place in the game because it’s such a beautiful thing that you play one moment at a time and when When that moment passes, there is no point in thinking about it because more and more moments are going to come and you have to make sure that you stay in the present and redeem all those moments personally.”
For Kohli, if he wanted to win, he would have won it.
“I wouldn’t look at things that could have gone our way like it had to go our way, it used to go our way. I don’t think it makes sense to focus on it now.”
Pant’s innings was excellent
Rishabh Pant’s century kept India in the third Test and the captain deserved a special mention. “It was a high quality knock. He has that talent and we understand his quality. He has special talent and can do special things.”
On ODIs I can speak from player’s point of view
Even amidst all the gloom, Kohli did not lose his sense of humor as he reminded one and all that he is no longer the ODI captain, when asked how this series defeat will boost the team’s morale in the upcoming three-match 50-over match. How will it affect Chain.
Kohli said, ‘I can speak from a player’s perspective and it was not difficult to understand what he meant. “Moved and motivated to perform in the ODI series. I don’t think we will take it to the ODIs.”
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