India v England: 'It was Kohli's day', says Eoin Morgan after defeat in first ODI
Sunday 15 January 2017 19:24, UK
Eoin Morgan said it was Virat Kohli's day after the India captain helped guide his side to victory in the first ODI in Pune.
After posting their best-ever score of 350-7 as a touring side in India, England then had the hosts pinned back at 63-4.
However, a 200-run stand between Kohli and Kedar Jadhav handed the advantage back to the home side, and they eventually claimed victory with 11 balls to spare.
"We had runs on the board, but we wanted to bowl first to see what a good score was," Morgan said.
"Conditions were very tough for bowlers and after posting 350 you think you're in the game.
"It's tough to take, but credit to them. They played really well, got themselves in and didn't give us many chances.
"You are never out of the game no matter what situation you are in. We know what it feels like to chase 350. We were in the game for most of it."
Morgan said it was Kohli, who scored 122 runs off 105 balls after entering the fray in the fourth over, who made the difference in Pune.
“When you have the calibre of Virat coming in and playing like that, and supported by a guy who gets a 60 or 70-ball hundred, it makes it very difficult to defend on such a small ground that doesn't offer a great deal.
"Any plans we set, he managed to manipulate around that. He played really well.
"When he came in early, he could easily have been caught down at third man. The boundaries here are very small. It would have meant that they were five down for s60 with Kohli back in the sheds, which is a completely different ball game. Today was his day."
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The India captain deferred praise to team-mate Jadhav for the game-changing partnership.
"This one's going to take a while to sink in,” said Kohli of his side’s victory.
“Conceding 350 runs then being 62-4 with their bowlers on top, it took a special partnership to get us over the line and what a terrific innings by Kedar.
“He missed out in Delhi, almost won us the game there, but that's exactly the chat we had; to rectify the mistake and take the team over the line and contribute in a big way today in the victory.
“This is a very special win for us."
