Cape Town: India skipper Virat Kohli was full of praise of wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, who shared eight wickets among themselves to guide India to a 124-run win over South Africa in the fourth ODI of the six-match series at the Newlands Stadium .
After Kohli reaffirmed his status as an ODI great with an unbeaten knock of 160 off 159 balls to propel India to 303 for six, Kuldeep and Chahal bagged four wickets each to help India take an unprecedented 3-0 lead in the ongoing series.
Describing Kuldeep and Chahal as `brave bowlers`, Kohli insisted that he has no words to explain the two wrist spinners’ brilliant performance in the ODI series so far.
The skipper said that it was just outstanding to see the two wrist spinners run through the South African batting line-up and totally spinning a web around the opposition.
“Look they are obviously making a very strong case for themselves, bowling in these conditions and making breakthroughs like we haven’t seen before. It’s outstanding to see two guys just totally spinning a web around the opposition. There doesn’t seem to be a way out at all. It’s unbelievable. Taking eight wickets today. Outstanding,” Kohli said.
Kohli was amazed to see Chahal and Kuldeep winning matches for the side, so much so that he would not deny that the duo could soon push for places in the Test side.
“I don’t have words to explain this. Credit to them. Both have been working hard on their game. Both are very brave in terms of how they bowl and the kind of fields they want as well. They are very brave tossing the ball and asking the batsman to come out and play a risky shot. Hats off to them but the other debate is a bit away from now. You never know what happens in the future but I am really happy at the moment,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kohli also reflected on his innings as he said that he struggled before smashing his century as the pressure was immense but he somehow managed to carry on.
“I was struggling a bit while on 95 but I knew I had to carry on and pull the team out. These are times when you are tested and it is pleasing to go through it and do well,” he said.
South Africa surrendered to Yuzvendra Chahal (4/46) and Kuldeep Yadav (4/23) to end way behind at 170 all out in 40 overs.
India will now aim to clinch the series when they lock horns with South Africa in the fourth ODI on February 10 at the Wanderers Stadium. (ANI)