NEW DELHI: Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli’s post-match press remarks, after his team’s defeat in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday, were widely appreciated by Pakistani fans. Kohli was not only thanked by cricket lovers from across the border but also described as a gentleman. The 28-year-old’s address after his side’s 180-run loss was even praised by the cricketing community.
“I want to congratulate Pakistan, they had an amazing tournament, the way they turned things around, speak volumes for the talent they have. They proved it again, they can upset anyone on their day, disappointing for us but I have a smile on my face because we played well to reach the final,” Kohli said.
Thank you @imVkohli with your post match statement you won many hearts. You are a great player and a gentleman too
— Mubasher Lucman (@mubasherlucman) June 18, 2017
Thank you @imVkohli for very kind words for us. And Team India, you're a really good team. It is an honour to have won from World Champions.
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) June 18, 2017
Credit too to @imVkohli for being gracious to PK and their fans – no greater team to play against
— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) June 18, 2017
Superb sportsmanship from @imVkohli in the interview right now. 👏🏾
— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) June 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/sharmeenochinoy/status/876483508801110016
https://twitter.com/imcheetoo/status/876538287556571137
“When players (Fakhar Zaman) like that get going on their day, it becomes really difficult to stop them because I think 80 percent of his shots were high-risk — and they were all coming off,” said Kohli.
“As a bowler and as a captain when that is happening … sometimes you have to sit and say ‘the guy is good enough on the day to tackle anything’.
“We certainly tried to make them hit in areas that we felt it would be uncomfortable, but we just didn’t have anything going our way in that partnership.”
Meanwhile, reflecting on India’s tournament as a whole, Kohli insisted: “We can (still) be very proud … and we leave here with our heads held high.
“Credit to everyone for standing up and showing that resilience and reaching the finals — (but) we were outplayed in all departments.
“In the end … you have to accept and admire sometimes the skill of the opposition,” Kohli added sportingly.
Former cricketers Brendon McCullum and Shane Warne too took to Twitter to appreciate Kohli.
India excellent throughout tournament except today. Impressed how well @imVkohli spoke post match. Gracious in defeat.
— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) June 18, 2017
Congrats Pakistan on a wonderful victory. To @imVkohli & your team, well played through the tournament & well spoken after the game #CT17 !
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) June 18, 2017
Mohammad Amir removed all of India’s top three as Pakistan routed their arch-rivals at The Oval.
Title-holders India, set 339 to win, collapsed to 33 for three and 54 for five against a Pakistan side they had thrashed by 124 runs in their tournament opener at Edgbaston on June 4.
They were eventually dismissed for 158 in reply to Pakistan’s 338 for four, which featured Zaman’s 114, the left-handed opener’s maiden one-day international hundred coming in just his fourth match at this level.
(With inputs from AFP)