New Delhi: India Test skipper Virat Kohli lauded Indian bowling duo of Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin for their bowling efforts against South Africa in the recently concluded Test series which India won 3-0.
Ashwin was pick of the bowlers in the Tests and picked up a whooping 31 wickets in four matches. Being India's leading bowler in recent times Ashwin has taken the responsibility of handling the pressure and the trust of his skipper.
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Kohli was pleased with Ashwin's efforts and stated that he has always been a champion bowler and that he kept picking his brains on the field.
"Ashwin has always been a champion bowler. I keep picking his brain on the field. In difficult situations, I keep asking him what should be done. He gives me proper insight. As a captain, you need a few people like that around. You cannot possibly think of everything at all times. Ashwin, Ajinkya, Ishant, Rohit, I keep speaking to these guys because they think about the game and analyse what's going on in the field," he stated.
He also mentioned pacer Ishant Sharma for his role in leading the pace attack. "I am very pleased to see Ishant taking up the role of the leader of the pace attack, and he is actually feeling like one. With the kind of experience he has under his belt, it is important for him to guide the other guys. It is important that others grow in his presence. And he is bowling beautifully,” Kohli said.
He also praised Ishant for his efforts in Sri Lanka where India won the Test series 2-1.
"The way he bowled in Sri Lanka, I have never seen him bowl like that since his first tour of Australia (in 2008). He has got his confidence back. Even in this series, he knew he did his job for the team by putting in those maidens and creating pressure.”
(With Agency Inputs)
