Kohli dedicates fifty to Sachin Tendulkar

Man of the match Virat Kohli on Saturday said that it is the challenge of playing on tough pitches like the one at Eden Gardens Saturday night brings the best out of him.

‘It was a challenging wicket, that’s what you want as a cricketer-new challenge to play. Last game, I was very disappointed to have got out, that really hurt.

Even the 49 against Pakistan in Dhaka was really satisfying, that’s what you need, a tough pitch a good bowling attack and you pulling your team out of trouble,’ Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

He was all praise for Yuvraj Singh, who helped him conjure a 61-run stand.

‘Yuvraj weathered the storm and then smacked a few. That’s Yuvi style. I think these performances are good for him as well, he’s in good nick.’

Kohli admitted that he did not know that wicket would offer so much turn till Ashwin started bowling.

‘I didn’t look at wicket till Ashwin started bowling. The way the ball spun, I thought it was going to grip.

Even cutters bowled by fast bowlers was gripping. So I told our batting coach (Sanjay Bangar) that since the ball was popping up, I would stand inside the crease and open the bat face rather than hit cover drive,’ said Kohli.

He dedicated his 50 to Sachin Tendulkar, who was there in the stands.

“I started playing cricket watching him. So to do it in front of 67,000 people with him celebrating, it was a great feeling.”

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that he did expect turn but not so much of turn.