29 Jan 2019

Virat Kohli says India will be just as strong without him

12:16 pm on 29 January 2019

The Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli doesn't expect his side to miss a beat in his absence.

India's captain Virat Kohli shakes hands with Kane Williamson after another win for India.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Kohli will miss the last two one-dayers and the one off T20 international as he returns home to rest following the side's tour of Australia and New Zealand.

The tourists secured the one day series with a seven wicket win in game three in Mt Maunganui last night.

Kohli says the side is running well as a team.

"The thing that stands out for me is the relentless intensity with which the guys have played all these three games, not relaxing after 2-0 up as well, which I think is very very important. Now they've started to realise how to close series and how to capitalise when we have advantage in a series.

"The bowlers were as hungry as the first two games. (Mohammed) Shami running in. Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) bowling good areas. Hardik was really, really good today as well and those two spinners [Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal] are quality anyway. Overall I'm really very pleased with how the games have gone."

India were again dominant in the third ODI.

They bowled New Zealand out for 243 with an over to spare and then reached their target with the loss of three wickets and with seven overs to spare.

India players celebrate a Black Caps  wicket.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Rohit Sharma top scored with 62 while Kohli made 60.

Kohli says they've exceeded his expectations so far on their tour of New Zealand.

"Looking at the first three games we were looking to win at least two, but the fact that we have won three is an outstanding achievement and the thing that stands out for me is the relentless intensity which the guys have played through out these three games not relaxing after two-nil up as well, they've all been very clinical performances."

The 4th ODI is in Hamilton on Thursday.