Nothing’s wrong with pitch: Virat Kohli

 

The 27-year-old, in fact, questioned the venues in South Africa that saw teams being bowled out for scores less than 100 on six occasions. 

“Well, there have been three scores of under 50 in Tests in South Africa,” Kohli said ahead of the fourth and final Test against South Africa that begins here on Thursday. “Teams have been bundled out for less than 100 six times in South Africa. I haven’t seen anything written about that.

 

“It’s about the mindset or opinion of someone. I don’t relate to it. I don’t understand it, and I certainly don’t entertain it. It does not bother me or the team. I don’t see anything wrong with our pitches.”

 

Asked about the world body’s report on the nature of the Jamtha track, which saw India win by 124 runs within two-and-a-half days, Kohli insisted, “It is an assessment that happens in every condition and at every ground. Unfortunately, the situation in our country is highlighted a bit too much and that’s a fact. Because only thing we talk about is the pitch and when we were in South Africa, the only thing we talked about is how badly we played.”

 

“It’s been going on for a while. We are changing our mindset but people around us haven’t changed. We are criticised for our technique but when visitors don’t play well, it’s always the wicket.”

 

Making his intention clear for the final Test, Kohli said India will aim for a whitewash. “Our mindset is to be ruthless and try to go 3-0 up. Our changes will depend on the conditions and not that we need to give someone a chance. Right now, we are in such a phase where we cannot experiment. When solidarity comes, we will think about it,” he said.

 

The Kotla has always been a special venue for the Delhi lad, who will lead the Test team at his home ground for the first time. “This is the ground where everything fell in place for me. This is the ground where I scored a century in a trial game. All the selectors and administrators were watching and probably were impressed. That’s how I was drafted into the team after being rejected the earlier year. This ground literally saw me start my career,” he recalled. 

“It is a special opportunity for me to captain the Indian side at my home ground.”