Record-setting Virat Kohli heaps praise on Hanuma Vihari and Jasprit Bumrah

Sport360 staff 12:26 03/09/2019
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  • Virat Kohli became the most successful India Test captain of all-time on Monday, but he deflected much of the praise Hanuma Vihari’s way.

    Kohli won a record 28th Test as skipper, surpassing the mark set by MS Dhoni (27), when India completed a mammoth victory over the West Indies at Sabina Park to wrap up a 2-0 series win.

    While Kohli’s exploits are par for the course, India’s middle-order has been less exemplary of late – yet they may well have found a consistent winner in Vihari.

    The batting all-rounder followed up his 93 in the first Test in Antigua with a century and unbeaten 50 in Jamaica, which led to Kohli declaring him ‘the find of the series’.

    “The way he’s batted under pressure especially, and on a much more challenging wicket here in Jamaica than in Antigua,” explained Kohli when asked about the 25-year-old’s performance.

    “I think his skill sets were outstanding. His temperament and technique were top-notch and he countered everything the opposition threw at him. Very, very pleased with the way he has come about.

    “According to the surface, I think it was a top-class innings. He’s a guy who’s very sure of his game and it shows when he plays. He looks confident and the dressing room feels really calm watching him bat. I think that’s a quality he possesses naturally because his game is so correct.”

    If Kohli was impressed by Vihari he was blown away by star seamer Jasprit Bumrah, who made it an incredible 13 wickets across the two Tests including 6-27 in the first innings at Sabina Park.

    “I think he’s the most complete bowler in world cricket now,” Kohli added. “I haven’t seen many more lethal spells than those two spells in the last couple of Tests.

    “It’s a by-product of the quality team we have here (becoming the most successful Indian captain). If we didn’t have the bowlers we have, these results wouldn’t have been possible.”

    India’s next challenge will be South Africa, who they host in three T20s and three Tests starting September 15.

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