“It all Started with Dada’s Team:” Virat Kohli Credits Sourav Ganguly for the Indian Team’s Winning Mentality

All of the 19 wicket were picked up by the seamers. The ball kept hitting the helmet of the batsmen. The spinners contributed to just about seven overs out of over 70 bowled by India. It was not a test match played in either the Gabba or the Sabina Park of the old. Indian pacers managed to intimidate the opposition batsmen in such a manner at Eden Gardens, Kolkata- with Virat Kohli registering his 33rd test victory as a captain.

The struggles of Bangladeshi batsmen facing the India fast bowlers reminded of a time when the batsmen all over the world used to be intimidated by the West Indian fast bowling. The aggression and intent from Indian team in recent times seemed to match that.

Talking after the match, Kohli lauded the current BCCI President Sourav Ganguly to have played an influential role in the brand of cricket that India is playing now. He seemed to say that the Indian team is enjoying the fruits seeds sown by the Ganguly’s team at the turn of the century.It all started with Dada’s team and we are just carrying it forward.

“The idea is to establish yourself in the middle,” he said in the post match presentation. “Test cricket is a mental battle, we all know that. I mean in the past nobody was trying to injure or hurt the batsman. It was all about getting into their heads and getting them out which used to happen, but now we have learnt to stand up and give it back.  The bowling group now is fearless and they believe in themselves playing against any batsman. We are reaping the rewards for all the hard work we put in the last 3-4 years.”

Kohli also felt that one of the fast bowlers deserved to get the man of the match award for their performance even though he scored a big hundred in the match.

“When the team is in sync you need to say much,”  he said. “These guys know what exactly they need to do. I was thinking if they announce me as the Man of the Match, it should go to one of the bowlers. In India picking nine wickets each is special. I thought Umesh or Ishant, either could have got the award. It felt good. Conditions were challenging with the pink ball under lights. It puts you in a situation to get your technique right and get into that Test match mode try to see off the situation and that’s the fun of Test matches when bowlers put you under pressure and you eventually come on top and score runs.”