Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Performing well for Team India is a responsibility: Kohli

Last updated on: July 22, 2012 11:51 IST
Virat Kohli celebrates after scoring his century on Saturday

Virat Kohli, who fashioned India's 21-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first One-dayer in Hambantota, says that wearing India colours was a big motivating factor for him.

- Hambantota ODI: Kohli, Sehwag lead India to 21-run win

"I get really motivated when I put on the India jersey. It is a responsibility. So I want to perform the best way I can," Kohli said at the post match press conference on Saturday.

"I was fortunate to have done well on a consistent basis. It was a matter of going out there and applying yourself and look for the best possible result," said Kohli who scored a 133-ball 106 to give India a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.

Kohli hit his 12th ODI century and his third against Sri Lanka this year.

He said the breeze at Hambantota played a big role in the day part of the innings.

"The ball travels much quicker off the bat in the night. We made a few mistakes in the field because we had not played here before," Kohli said.

'It was a tough target under lights'

Last updated on: July 22, 2012 11:51 IST
Sri Lanka's captain Mahela Jayawardene walks off the field after his dismissal

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene conceded that it was a tough target to chase down but felt his side did not give up and tried till the end.

"It was a tough target to chase under lights, but there were positives from the game that we can take," Jayawardene said.

Commenting on Kohli's performance, Jayawardene said that despite the young Indian's three hundreds against Sri Lanka in the recent past, there were others in the Indian side the Lankans have to be wary of.

"We must try to stop him from scoring, but it's just not him," he said.

Jayawardene said no Sri Lankan batsman was able to support Sangakkara, who hit 133 for a losing cause, to keep up with the required run rate.

"Kumar batted exceptionally well, dragging the game to where it needed to be so that we could have a crack at it," Jayawardene said.
© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.