Not playing for milestones, but for the team: Virat Kohli

Thiruvananthapuram: After the scintillating win against Sri Lanka on Sunday, sweeping the three-match ODI series and becoming both “Player of the Match” and “Player of the Series”, Virat Kohli said that he never looks for milestones but plays for the team. On the Sunday match, he was in full attack intent, Asian News International reported.

After the onslaught by Kohli (166* off 110) and Shubhaman Gill (116 off 97 balls), both hitting glamourous centuries, Mohammed Siraj stomped off Sri Lanka’s chances to victory in the final ODI held at the Karyavattom Greenfield Stadium here in Kerala. India made the largest victory ever by an international team in ODIs in terms of run margin.

From the three matches of the series, Kohli amassed 283 runs which included two centuries, winning the “Player of the series”.

Kohli said that he had no idea about milestones or the two awards but stated that they were by-products. His mindset is always to help his team towards victory, bat as long as possible and end up making a difference. He always intended to play for the right reasons, he said at the post-match ceremony.

He continued that after he came from his break, he always felt good and did not have a desperation to attain milestones. He is simply enjoying his innings and is in a space where he can relax. He wishes to continue the same.

Later he praised Mohammed Siraj. He said that the way Siraj has improved was outstanding. Taking wickets in the powerplay used to be an issue for the Indians, but Siraj satisfied that, taking a maximum number of them there. Siraj is making batters think, which is a good sign for India, which is preparing for the next World Cup, Kohli said, adding praises for Shami also.