Virat Kohli calls MS Dhoni as 'the best finisher in the world'

MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are completely different characters both on and off the field. However, their contrasting demeanors united India in clinching a record sixth Asia Cup title. Following the emphatic victory in Mirpur, Hindustan Times reported the Delhi dasher heaping praise on his skipper.

Kohli was also vocal about Shikhar Dhawan’s knock which set up the final for India. He said, “I think Shikhar played himself in really nicely. My only aim was to keep going at the other end so that the run-rate doesn’t stop. I had to understand my role. Once Shikhar got towards the end of his innings, I hit two or three boundaries which released pressure for us.”

The 27-year old was of the opinion that Dhoni had brushed aside all the talks about fading reflexes by returning to his old self. Kohli asserted, “Then MS Dhoni came in and did what he does best. He is the best finisher in the world. All in all, it was a wonderful game.”

When the Ranch-born Dhoni walked into the crease, India needed 19 from the final two overs. The 34-year old then proceeded to smash Al-Amin Hossain for a couple of massive sixes and a brutal chip shot over covers which ensured that the last over was rendered irrelevant.

‘Needed a break to refresh myself’

The Asia Cup triumph is a timely remainder of India’s prowess in the T20I format as the World T20 is set to kick-start. Kohli believed that the team is in good shape for the upcoming challenge and would leave no stone unturned to lift the trophy on home soil.

He implied, “It is important that everyone stays confident and everyone stays in form. Last few games we saw Yuvraj Singh playing crucial knocks. Suresh Raina is always a dangerous player in T20 cricket, Rohit Sharma has been magnificent and Dhoni knows his job more than anyone else. Hardik Pandya is a beautiful striker and now Shikhar is back in form. I am striking it decently as well.”

Virat who averages a daunting 52.61 from 38 T20Is added, “Everyone going into the T20 World cup is feeling good and confident and hopefully we can keep things simple and continue this winning momentum forward. The boys have played some really good cricket and it has been wonderful to be a part of such magnificent run of form for the whole team.”

When asked about his imperious run, Kohli revealed, “I am happy I am contributing at the right times for the team. There were a lot of speculations about me when I took rest for the tour against Sri Lanka. There were all sorts of articles and things written about me questioning whether it was a right move to rest at that point of time. There was a lot of negativity around that decision that was made, but I knew that mentally I needed a break and needed to refresh myself and comeback and do the same thing over and over again.”

He noted, “Good habits are really hard to create and once you get them, you need to be in full flow and continue them day in and day out. I think that break really helped me focus again and continue what I did in Australia. I am really glad I could contribute in all the games here.”

India begin their World T20 campaign against New Zealand in Nagpur on March 15.