New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips reflected on his lively celebrations after dismissing Virat Kohli on day three of the first Test against India in Bengaluru. He noted it was a significant moment in the match, especially since India had put the Kiwis under pressure with a strong partnership.
With Kohli batting well, Phillips got an edge from the former Indian captain on the last ball of day three, which was caught by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell. Although Kohli reviewed the decision, it went against him, and he had to leave the field after scoring 70.
In an interview with New Zealand Cricket, the 27-year-old described Kohli as one of the biggest wickets in Test cricket and mentioned that it was important to gain momentum heading into day four.
“Yeah, he is probably one of the biggest wickets in Test cricket going around at the moment. To be able, to produce something special on the last ball of the day, was quite incredible.”
“They put on a big partnership and put us on the backfoot. But to contribute in that way, on the last ball of the day, the tension had built up. They had been playing really well upto that point, took a little bit of momentum for us going into the next day.”
It was the only wicket Phillips took in the match, as he didn’t bowl in the first innings and finished with figures of 15 overs, 2 maidens, 69 runs, and 1 wicket in the second innings.
“A lot of New Zealand teams have come and tried”- Glenn Phillips on their long-awaited victory
Phillips expressed pride in how the team fought hard for the victory. He said:
“It is absolutely phenomenal. A lot of New Zealand sides have come and tried, and unfortunately they have not been on the winning end of it but for us to come and perform like this, and produce a win for the first time in 36 years, it’s pretty special.”
The second Test between India and New Zealand will start on October 24 in Pune.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.