ICC World Cup 2019 | When things don't go your way, you need to show character, says Virat Kohli

ICC World Cup 2019 | When things don't go your way, you need to show character, says Virat Kohli

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Virat Kohli has admitted that things got a little out of control in yesterday's match against Afghanistan but gave credit to his side to come through and seal a crucial win. The Indian team defeated Gulbadin Naib & Co. by a narrow margin of 11 runs at the Rose Bowl Cricket Ground on Saturday.

The Indian cricket team escaped what could have been an embarrassing defeat at the hands of minnows Afghanistan on Saturday as Virat Kohli & Co. fought hard to register an 11-run win in the end. The Men in Blue entered the tie as firm favourites but scored a below par total of 224/8 from 50 overs. 

The Afghanistan side came close to beating the Indians thanks to another brilliant batting display by Mohammad Nabi but fell narrowly short off the target. Indian skipper Virat Kohli admitted that his side was not up to the mark yesterday but gave credit to the boys for sealing the win at the death. 

"This game was way more important to be honest as I said it didn't go as plan. But when things don't go your way, you need to show some character and bounce back and fight till the last ball and that shows the character of the team. We take a lot of heart from this win and take the confidence going forward," Kohli said at the post-match interview. 

Kohli, who scored 63 from 67 deliveries, also heaped praise on Mohammad Shami who returned to the playing XI in place of injured Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. Shami ended the match with figures 4/40 which included a hat-trick in the final over of the second innings. 

"All in all, the bowling performance was outstanding. Everyone's waiting for an opportunity and I think Shami was really good today, especially his first spell, he was making the ball do more than anyone else today. Vijay Shankar has come in and he showed intent and he is fielding really well. It's an honour for everyone to represent their country in the World Cup.

"We have been playing some good cricket and you expect yourself to win the toss and put big runs on the board and then you see the pitch being slow with three quality spinners in the opposition, I felt 270 should have been ideal and thought 250 would have been par. A team like Afghanistan who has a lot of talent doesn't let you play the way you want to play. Everyone had collective belief that we can win this one. They really put pressure on us in the middle overs and as I said our shot selection could have been a lot better," Kohli signed off. 

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