India vs Pakistan ICC T20 World Cup 2016: India captain MS Dhoni praises Virat Kohli for knock in win against Pakistan
Indian captain M S Dhoni was full of praise for Virat Kohli after his knock helped India maintain their unbeaten run against Pakistan in ICC global tournaments. Kohli scored an unbeaten 55 off just 37 balls, hitting the only 50 in a low-scoring game, leading India to a six-wicket win against Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Dhoni said Kohli's ability to rotate the strike is a key feature of his batting, something which helps convert starts into big scores, especially in high pressure situations.
At his post-match press conference, the skipper said: "It's very simple. What an innings is all about is how you convert it, when you're under pressure. There are few ways to handle pressure, at times we have seen, in Test cricket, or ODI and T20 format, when there is lot of pressure, often they go for the big shot",as quoted by espncricinfo.com.
"It seems at that point of time that's the best option, but when you're under a lot of pressure, the best way to deal with it is to take a single, go to the other end, because that calms you down, and at the same time you have that positive intent because you're looking for that single and you know your areas."
Dhoni added: "Everybody knows what their strength is, for some it's a flick, for some it's the cut. So if it's in your area, you have to play your shot. If not, try to take a single, go to the other end. And if you see his batting, that's what he really does, and where he has an edge over others is you have to push hard. That's why he loves batting with individuals who can run hard with him, because running is the easiest way to score runs.
"He (Kohli) takes everything as a challenge. He wants to improve, he wants to contribute in each and every game, and that's what it's all about, because he wants to contribute, he wants to score runs, he prepares well, he takes care of his fitness.
"He knows, he understands now, in different wickets how he's supposed to bat and score runs. And we all know, once he gets going, once he gets a start, he always converts it into a big innings, which I feel is one of the most important things for any youngster coming in."
Kohli is the master of run chases, averaging an amazing 83.60 in 18 innings with eight not-outs and nine half-centuries. India have won all their 11 encounters against arch-rivals Pakistan in ICC World Cup tournaments.
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