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Rediff.com  » Cricket » For Kohli, this period of play proved a game-changer...

For Kohli, this period of play proved a game-changer...

Source: PTI
March 07, 2016 10:55 IST
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Team India's Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan during the Asia Cup final on Sunday

IMAGE: Team India's Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan during the Asia Cup final on Sunday. Photograph: Solaris Images

India claimed their record sixth Asia Cup final after clinical performance with the bat and beating Bangladesh by 8 wickets at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday.

However, India’s vice-captain Virat Kohli admits that the early wicket of Rohit Sharma did give the team a few jitters, saying it was a tricky situation out there.

"Rohit getting out early made it tricky but credit to Shikhar for the way he batted. He delivered when the team needed the most. The 94 stand (with Dhawan) was the game-changer," he said.

Kohli said he loves the challenge of playing against a hostile crowd.

"I back myself to find boundaries and hit the gaps, I don't try to hit too many sixes. I enjoy the crowd being against me, it pumps me up, the more they boo me the more it motivates me," he said.

Indian players celebrate the wicket of Bangladesh player Soumya Sarkar

IMAGE: Indian players celebrate the wicket of Bangladesh player Soumya Sarkar. Photograph: Solaris Images

India's Team Director Ravi Shastri said he motivated the team to avenge their ODI series defeat in Bangladesh last year.

"I just told them it's a final, enjoy it. Remember the celebrations Bangladesh did when they beat us, so just get the job done," he said.

"We have a good all-round side, packed with power hitters, any of them can fire. If any area we have to tighten up, it is the bowling department. There is tremendous self-belief in the team and the tour of Australia was extremely important, bouncing back to win four matches after losing the first four. I was not surprised one bit when they chased this down," he said.

Bangladesh players celebrate the wicket of India's Rohit Sharma

IMAGE: Bangladesh players celebrate the wicket of India's Rohit Sharma. Photograph: Solaris Images

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said his team has been doing well and they go into the World T20 with lot of confidence.

"It's upsetting that we couldn't win the final but congratulations to the boys for making it this far. They played really well, we have exciting batsmen and bowlers, hopefully this team will carry on from here. We have a lot of confidence, we have to qualify for the WT20 first, we have a flight early in the morning," he said.

Bangladesh's Sabbir Rahman was named Man-of-the-Series.

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