On not many occasions in recent times has an Indian team-management’s focus so singularly been on bowling. That it was the weak link was indeed acknowledged, but seldom has it gone to the extent of diminishing its batting resources to bolster the bowling.
The move paid off, with India taking all 60 wickets on offer and that ended up being a crucial aspect in winning the series. “I think this series belongs to the bowlers,” said Virat Kohli.
“Because they have been outstanding apart from Cheteshwar’s [Pujara] knock which was world-class, one of the best I have seen in Test cricket. Apart from that the bowlers have really stood out.
“Be it five bowlers or four bowlers and one all-rounder theory, it is something that has worked for us. As I said, to win a Test match you need to take 20 wickets.
“You need to test the guys’ patience rather than losing yours first. This series has been a revelation with this bowling attack.”
For a brief while on Tuesday, the Angelo Mathews-Kusal Perera partnership, did give India a few jitters, but Kohli said that at no stage did he think that India would not win the game.
“In Test cricket on a fifth day, there will be century partnerships. But you will have that one opportunity and you have to make sure that you grab that.
“We bowled beautifully before the new ball. We slowed the game down, which the spinners did for us and then we got that breakthrough. It’s very important to keep believing that you will get those couple of chances.”
The breakthrough was achieved by none other than R. Ashwin, who, with 21 scalps in three Tests, was declared the man-of-the-series. Ever since he bagged a five-wicket haul on the first day in Galle, he has been India’s best bowler of the series.
“Everyday of this particular series I wanted to be in that particular rhythm that I was on the first day in Galle,” Ashwin said.
“Rhythm was one thing I wanted to get all through the series. In every game there was a spell in which I got into a perfect rhythm.”
Ashwin also sought to place a lot of credit on the faster bowlers and said that the way in which the pacers and spinners fed off each other augured well. “Especially in the last couple of Tests, Ishant has bowled exceptionally well.
“So we try and feed off each others’ spells. It’s a great thing. But there is a long way. We need to get such consistent periods all through the day. Teams that can do that eventually go on to become champion sides.”
For Ashwin the icing on the cake was when he scored a half-century on Monday. Termed as a potential all-rounder, it would no doubt have been sweet. “I have to be very thankful to the team management and the coaches.
“I have been struggling with a tennis elbow and had to make certain technical adjustments to my batting. It has taken a bit of time. I wanted to contribute, but unfortunately I couldn’t spend much time in the middle.
“Yesterday (Monday) was one day where the situation demanded me to put everything behind and watch the ball closely. Thankfully it came off.”
