“My first series was a disappointment” - When Virat Kohli addressed a press conference after his first ever Test fifty in 2011
Indian batter Virat Kohli sits on a heap of records heading towards the final stages of his career, and is one of the first names on the team sheet. However, it was not the case during the formative stages of his career. After having made his ODI debut in 2008, the right-hander had to wait three years to feature in the longest format for the nation.
Kohli made his red-ball debut during the tour of the West Indies in 2011 after a fruitful ODI World Cup campaign. However, he struggled in his maiden Test assignment, ending up with only 76 runs in the three-match series at an average of 15.20. He was dismissed by Fidel Edwards three times out of five innings, and it was indeed a rough reality check.
Kohli retained his place in the Test squad for the tour of England, but did not feature during the humiliating 0-4 whitewash. He made it back to the playing XI for the third and final Test against the West Indies at home, and went onto announce his arrival with twin fifties. It also marked his home red-ball debut.
Kohli's first fifty came after West Indies had piled on 590 in the first innings. The right-handed batter came into bat at 287/4, and shared a vital partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin, who scored a memorable ton.
"When I came into the team, we had this team meeting with someone new in the team giving a speech. They made me do that again. I said that my first series was a disappointment and hopefully I can get things right this time around," Kohli said during the press conference after Day 4.
"I was in a good mental space before this series. I got runs against England, but it is a totally different ball game - Test cricket. It was difficult for me because I was thinking too many things. I put myself under pressure in the West Indies, thinking too many things, not sure what I wanted to do," he added.
Virat Kohli scored 52 runs off 111 deliveries with five fours, before being dismissed by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.
"I cherish playing under pressure" - Virat Kohli on batting at No.6
India's batting unit was stacked with legends when Kohli first came into the Test arena. Thus, he had to play in the lower-middle order, before the inevitable promotion was sealed after Sachin Tendulkar's retirement.
Previously, Kohli addressed the difficulties of playing at No.6 and also lamented not converting his fifty into a big score.
"I went in a difficult situation in the morning, but I cherish playing under pressure. Definitely, the way I was going, the way the situation was, it was the perfect scenario for me to get a big score. I am more of a mindset player. I need to be in the right frame of mind," he added.
Kohli contributed with a fifty during the run chase on a wild final day that resulted in one of the most thrilling Tests witnessed in India. After bundling out the visitors for 134, the Men in Blue had to chase down 242 for a whitewash. However, the match ended up as a tie, with India having one wicket in hand.