Captain's message: Kohli asks team members to enjoy every game before leaving SA

INDIA SKIPPER Virat Kohli heaped praise on his teammates as the men in blue beat South Africa by 28 runs in the first T20I at Johannesburg.

Kohli’s men posted a 204 run target for the hosts before restricting them to 175. Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, the prolific batsman lauded the team for their all-around efforts.

“Very impressive from the boys. It was a good wicket to bat on. Although Rohit (Sharma) did not get many, but the start – 21 off 9 gave us the start. Shikhar (Dhawan) was outstanding. It was a total team batting performance. With the ball, Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) showed his experience. We could always bank on Jassi (Jasprit Bumrah) and (Jaydev) Unadkat did well as well. This was one of our most balanced performances. We never let the run rate drop less than 10.5. I was thinking maybe 220 at the 16 over mark. The basic message to the team was we are here till 25th. We can’t go away before that and have to make the best of every time here.”

Kohli was seen going off the field in the second innings leaving leadership duty in MS Dhoni’s hands. When asked about the niggle that forced him out, the Delhi-lad said, 

“The injury was early on in the innings when I went for the single. It was my glute and thankfully not my hammy. You know how I am, I had to bend bit more quickly. Then I felt a little bit more stiffness in my glute and that is why I went off. Not to be stupid and tear a muscle, I decided to go off and get it checked.”

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