Virat Kohli badly wanted to score this hundred: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Virat Kohli is acknowledged as a remarkable run-making machine in ODIs, having become the fastest to 11000 runs and having an average close to 60 in the format. He is second in the list of ODI centuries and is on the cusp of breaking Sachin Tendulkar's overall tally of tons. However, in 2019, Kohli had experienced a lean trot when it came to centuries. In the World Cup, he smashed five consecutive fifties but failed to convert it into centuries. Heading into the second ODI at Port of Spain, Kohli's last ton had come five months ago against Australia in Ranchi. 

However, Kohli overcame the conditions and blasted his 42nd century to help India reach a good total. He broke plenty of records in the process, going past Sourav Ganguly's tally of 11363 runs in ODIs and also becoming the first player in history to score 2000 runs and hit 200 fours against the West Indies.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who also played a vital role in India's 59-run win via DLS method with a haul of 4/31, said Kohli wanted to score the hundred badly. 

"From Virat's expression you could see that he badly wanted to score a hundred not because he was out form but because he was getting out in the 70s and 80s and he's always known for scoring big runs. The wicket wasn't easy, when Virat came back to the dressing room he said after the ball gets old it's not easy to score runs," Bhuvneshwar said. 

During West Indies' revised chase of 270 from 46 overs, the hosts were in the chase with Evin Lewis and Nicholas Pooran looking in good form. However, Bhuvneshwar changed the course of the game with two wickets in the 35th over, that of Pooran and Roston Chase as India won the match. Bhuvneshwar revealed the strategy behind his spell. 

"When I came to bowl I was just thinking I have to bowl economically, get more dot balls. I feel getting wickets is a byproduct of bowling tightly. I wasn't thinking much about the result because we knew if we get one or two wickets we will be back in the game. I just caught it. I wasn't expecting it. Pooran's wicket was the main wicket for us because we all know how he plays and he can change the game. So his wicket was the key for us. Roston Chase also the moment he came he started taking singles. So those two wickets were crucial for us," Bhuvneshwar said. 

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Virat Kohli scored his 42nd century in ODIs and eighth against Windies.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 4/31 to boost India.
• Kohli went past 2000 runs in ODIs vs West Indies and also hit 200 fours.