A delighted Indian Test captain Virat Kohli termed his team’s 2-1 series win as a “magnificent milestone” as they now became a “part of history” today.
“It’s a magnificent milestone for a young team winning here after 22 years. I am told that no Indian team has won a Test series coming back from being 0-1 down. So we have created a bit of history,” a satisfied Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Kohli termed the brilliant dressing room environment being one of the primary reasons for this success.
“Even players like Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) and Varun Aaron who did not play the last two Test matches were helping us out. Harbhajan Singh, who is such a senior player was also helping from outside. It was a collective effort. Everyone was raring to go and it’s a victory on which our Test careers will be built,” the skipper said.
Man of the match Cheteshwar Pujara came in for special praise from the skipper after coming in with a spate of injuries plaguing the team. “Injuries are always something that frustrates the team. But the attitude has been brilliant. Pujara came in after someone was injured and he saw it as an opportunity and not difficulty. That is why we are playing the kind of cricket we are playing,” said the proud skipper.
Although there is room for improvement Kohli was overall satisfied with how the team fared.
“There are areas we want to improve, but over the series, we can count the number of sessions we were bad on one hand. Really proud of the boys,” he said.
Pujara on his part said, “It was a very good opportunity for me, we were 1-1 and we won the series now. Facing the new ball was challenging, it was an opportunity as well. My preparation was good, and my experience in International cricket has helped.”
Angelo Mathews conceded that poor batting let them down. “I am disappointed, especially after winning a crucial toss and them batting in demanding conditions. Our batting flopped again. The bowlers were outstanding. And then after giving them a 100-run lead, we did not bat well. We could have kept them under 300 in the first innings.
“The bowlers bowled pretty well, but India batted well. Our first innings batting was crucial, we needed to get close to 300. Thought if Kusal and I had stayed there longer, it could have been different. But they bowled really well,” said the Lankan skipper, who was the best batsman from either side in the whole series.
