Virat Kohli to Anderson: Things happen, let's move on
Virat Kohli has replied to James Anderson's recent jibe about his batting, but with overwhelming positivity saying that he laughed off the comments after Ashwin informed him about it. Kohli also felt that his side were not handed an easy series victory by England and had to work hard to earn it.
In his post-match conference on Sunday, England pacer James Anderson felt that Virat Kohli's recent success was because of the “slow” Indian wickets which gave him immunity against his weaknesses. Speaking about this issue after the sealing the series 3-0 at the Wankhede Stadium, the Indian skipper felt that he did not know about these comments until his teammate Ravichandran Ashwin informed him about it.
“For the first time, I was trying to calm things down at a time where he is involved. Ashwin was not pleased with whatever he said in the press conference. Ashwin told me on the ground,” Kohli told the reporters on Monday.
He further narrated how Ashwin was not impressed with him taking the comments lightly and also had a word with the Lancashire bowler during the match.
“Obviously, I had no clue about it. So, I did not know what to make of it. I was just laughing but Ashwin wasn't too impressed. So, he let him (Anderson) know. Not using any bad words, obviously. He told me he was very disappointed with what he said. It is important to accept defeat the way it is and the things like that,” added Kohli.
“You know how Ashwin is. To the point, he can really strike you well without using the bad words and that’s exactly what happened,” Kohli continued.
“Later on, I just told James that it is fine. These things happen. So, let’s move on with it,” the Indian skipper
When asked if the series victory turned to be an easier than expected for India, Kohli replied, “No series win is easy. We were tested and we came out on top.”
Saying that England were
“Would give my team a lot of credit for bouncing back from tough situations. didn't get anything on the platter, had to work hard for it. We were tested and came out on top, this is what Test cricket is all about. If you are a champion team then you have to play like a champion team," ” the 28-year old said.
When quizzed about what was the best advice given to him, the skipper replied, “The best advice was not to read and look up things that are being said about me. Honestly, I am not being sarcastic, but that was the best advice and was one thing that kept me pulling back as far as test cricket is concerned. I don’t know somehow people enjoy me calling that I am not a good Test player and then motivating me further