Virat Kohli celebrates a dismissal with the team in Ireland
Following India's emphatic 143-run win in the second T20I and a 2-0 clean sweep in the two-match series in Ireland, captain Virat Kohli is having a "headache". The Indian skipper said in the post-match presentation on Friday that how the impressive performance of youngsters is giving him "a headache now about whom to pick" ahead of England series that includes three T20Is, three ODIs and five Test matches, starting July 3.
"Just the kind of momentum we wanted for England. A balanced performance from all departments in both the games," Kohli said after India's win in Dublin.
"I'm having a headache now about whom to pick, they've all done so well with the bat, but it's a good problem to have. It's a great phase for Indian cricket, and I'm happy the youngsters are doing well and taking their chances with both hands. Our bench-strength has shown as well, with the guys shining through," the 29-year-old added.
Powered by half-centuries from KL Rahul and Suresh Raina and a collective bowling effort, India registered their biggest T20I win after convincingly thrashing minnows Ireland by 143 runs.
Kohli ensured that his team will go against England the same way they played Ireland at their backyad. "For us the opposition doesn't matter, and England will be the same. We focus on our strength. The pitches are going to be good, so if they can come hard, we have the batting power to match that.
India's spin twins Yuzvendra Chahal (3/21) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/16) once again starred with the ball as the Irish batsmen continued to be at sea, before eventually crumbling to their second lowest T20I total.
Kohli hailed the spin duo, saying: "We have two wrist spinners, so that is an advantage for us. If we are at our highest level of intensity, it will be a competitive series which we are looking forward to."
Chasing a mammoth 214, mainly built around half tons from Rahul (70 off 36 balls) and Raina (69 off 45) and a late order cameo from Hardik Pandya (32 not out off 9), Ireland could never recover from the early wickets as the Indian bowlers put on a collective effort to bundle them out for a meagre 70 in just 12.3 overs.
"We have a lot of mutual respect, no one takes their place for granted, and the responsibility by the players has been taken with both hands. I don't have to poke anyone at any stage to put their best performance in. Everyone wants game time and that is a very healthy sign for any team.
"The credit has to go to the players for taking the responsibility and that takes all the pressure off me and the team management," Kohli concluded.
