Mohali: India’s star batsman Virat Kohli said, on Tuesday, that his prolonged form slump was a bit “annoying”, but staying calm and patient helped him overcome the lean phase, which is part and parcel in the career of international cricketers.
Kohli marked his return to form with an unbeaten 77 in the last one-dayer in Ranchi against England after a string of low scores which had become a matter of concern for the team.
“I wasn’t feeling the same as others might have about my form, to be honest. No one can keep scoring consistently for a period of 16 months. It’s always a balance in international cricket. There will be a phase when you don’t score in four-five games,” Kohli said at the pre-match press conference ahead of the fourth ODI on Wednesday.
“It was a bit annoying for me as I was not getting out making too many mistakes. I got a few good balls in the last series and made a few mistakes in this series. But, I was pretty calm at that point of time. You just got to be composed. You just know that it is going to happen at some point or the other (return to form),” he said.
India are leading the five-match ODI series against England 2-1 and will look to settle the issue by taking an unassailable lead on Wednesday.
The right-hander pointed out that working hard regularly in the nets and staying calm and patient was the only mantra which had helped him tide over the lean phase.
“When you get frustrated, you tend to increase that lean phase which you are going through. You’ve got to be positive, which I am glad that I was and was able to come out with that knock in the last game,” he said.
India may be on the brink of a series win, but Kohli felt that they cannot afford to be complacent as England have got good players who can change the game. “They have got good players in the side who can change the game at any time. Even the guys coming in have been impressive,” he said.
Kohli felt that the Indians had played better cricket in the last two one-dayers enabling them to take the lead in the series, but at the same time he knew that they will have to play well to beat the visitors. (PTI)