After India finished the year on a high with a series-clinching win in the third ODI against West Indies in Cuttack, captain Virat Kohli promised to ‘keep chasing an ICC Trophy’ saying the team deserves it.
“It’s been one of the best years for Indian cricket to be honest. Apart from playing the cricket that we did for half an hour in the World Cup, it’s been a beautiful year," Kohli said looking back at the year gone by.
“We will keep chasing the ICC Trophy. It’s something this team deserves. It should be an accumulation of all the hard work that we’ve put in over the last few years. Apart from that, the brand of cricket we played, it’s been wonderful to be a part of."
Kohli said developing a fast bowling unit that even overshadowed the spinners was a high point this year. He also said India are keen on building new talent as they expect a transition in the future.
“Having a bunch of fast bowlers who can bowl out any opposition anywhere is brilliant to have, we’ve not had it in the past" he said. “Them taking the attention away from the spinners in India is a huge statement. We now feel we have it in us to win series overseas, not just the odd game."
“We are in the process of trying out people in every series, see how they react under pressure. In a few years we have to go through a transition again. Whether people want to accept it or not, the younger people will have to step up in a few years."
Talking about the third ODI, Kohli said it was a good sign for Indian cricket that someone other than him finished the match in a tense chase, referring to Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja.
“Having done it so many times, you obviously have a bit more calmness and you understand how the dew is playing and all you need is a small partnership," he said. “From there the opposition usually crumbles. It was outstanding to see others finishing the game. Me finishing wouldn’t have been an outstanding thing, but this is good for the team.
“When I got out I had a nervous phase, but I looked back at Jaddu and he looked confident. They just changed the game in three overs."