India vs Australia | Keeping Kuldeep Yadav would've been too predictable, says Virat Kohli

Coming from behind in the ODI series, the Indian team defeated Australia 2-1 today when they chased down a modest total of 231 runs with four balls to spare at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Playing his first match of the ODI series, Yuzvendra Chahal bagged a career best of 6/42 and was adjudged the man of the match.

Speaking on Chahal’s selection in the playing eleven Virat Kohli revealed that it was more of a plan to surprise the opposition. "It wasn't an easy wicket to bat on, so it was important to take the game deep. Two set batsmen there who knew what to do and they got the job done. Kuldeep had played a few games, so you don't want to make things too predictable. So we brought on Yuzvendra Chahal, and he played beautifully,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation, ESPNCricinfo.

India had perhaps their most successful tour in 2018 down under where they drew the T20I series 1-1 after a rain-interrupted match most likely stopped their victory. They followed it up with a marvellous 2-1 Test series victory before sealing a dominant 2-1 win in the ODI series as well. Expressing his satisfaction on the team’s performance Kohli stated that had he been offered the same results before the start of the tour he would have accepted them happily.

“We've been here a long time, it's been an amazing tour. We drew the T20 series, won the Test series and now the ODIs. If you had given me these results before the tour, I would have gladly taken it,” Virat Kohli said.

When India had lost the first ODI match by 34 runs, Dhoni was criticized heavily for his slow scoring rate. But two matches later the same match emerged the man of the series for India and how has he managed to silence his critics. He was only dismissed once in the series and made a total of 194 runs at the average of 194.

"It was a slow wicket, so it was difficult to hit whenever you wanted to. It was important to take it deep. No point going after the bowlers who are doing well, so that was the gameplan, of course, supported brilliantly by Kedar, who plays unorthodox shots,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation. 

Ambati Rayudu was dropped from the match with Dhoni replaced him at the number four position in India’s batting order. However, the wicketkeeper made it clear that he was happy to bat at any position as long as it serves the team well.

"Whether I play at 4 or 6, we need to see if the team balance can be retained. The important thing is for me to bat where the team needs, I'm happy to bat lower down at 6," Dhoni said.

Chahal equalled the record of highest wicket haul in ODI cricket in Australia and was awarded the man of the match for his performance. He said that he was looking forward to playing in New Zealand.

 "This is my first game in Australia, the wicket was turning a bit and I was enjoying my bowling. I was able to plan and bowl slow and vary my pace. Before the World Cup, we have a big series coming up in New Zealand and I'm looking forward to that,” Chahal said at the post-match presentation.

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