Virat Kohli compares ‘happy hunting ground’ Vizag to Adelaide

It was a perfect game for India captain Virat Kohli. He got the conditions he wanted in the second Test at Vizag and he ensured his team exploited them with a solid all-round performance to go 1-0 up against England in the series.

After clinching a 246-run win on the final day, Kohli called the Vizag stadium (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium) his favourite venue along with Adelaide.

“It’s been a lucky ground for me and it remains a special ground, similar feel I get to Adelaide. You want to play exciting cricket because so many people come to watch. They help you through tough situations,” said Kohli, who was the man of the match for his innings of 167 and 81.

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The key to the game was batting well in the first innings to put the pressure of scoreboard on England, the Indian captain said. “We wanted to make sure we batted five sessions, get 450 plus which is what we did, then the bowlers were always on top. Scoreboard pressure really counts. We felt it at Rajkot. There wasn’t much happening in the wicket, but the batsmen succumbed.”

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Kohli singled out his fast bowlers and debutant off-spinner Jadav Yadav as the positives out of the game. “The biggest positives are how the fast bowlers bowled and Jayant’s debut. He asked for the field he wanted and knew which lines to bowl. For a young guy to come in and tell me the field he wants, it shows he knows what he is doing. It speaks volumes of his character. I’m really happy for him. I knew the batsmen uncomfortable. Was lovely to have five bowlers who can pick up wickets.”

Looking ahead, Kohli said it was important not to be complacent and not be desperate, either.