Standing on my own I can't do anything, all 11 guys deserve the credit: Virat Kohli

India bowlers broke South Africa’s monumental resistance to pull off a brilliant 337-run victory in the 4th Test in New Delhi, claiming five wickets in the final session giving a thrilling finish to the series, which the hosts, led by the Virat Kohli, ultimately swept 3-0. Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin overcame the slowness of the Kotla pitch with big-hearted bowling but were still left to claim half the batting line-up after tea as bad light and haze threatened an early finish.

However, Umesh Yadav produced a sensational spell of fast bowling and dismissed the lower order; Dane Vilas was cleaned up in the 1st over after tea, Kyle Abbott got a cracking yorker and Dane Piedt was caught brilliantly by keeper Saha. Ashwin removed Morne Morkel and this started the celebrations for the team.

At the post-match presentation ceremony the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli said that his bowlers did not lose patience and should be really proud of their effort today. He also stated that this was the most special Test win of the series since the team had to work hard to earn it.

Hashim Amla said: “We knew we had to bat long and hard, we tried our exceptional best, AB had a fantastic effort … You got to do what is best for the team, it is easy to go out there and get some runs, but we tried to take it as deep as possible, get something from this game, unfortunately, we were outplayed by India throughout the whole series, they batted and bowled better than us. Winning the T20s and the ODIs was brilliant … It was a tough series for our batters, we didn’t manage to get enough runs … credit to our seamers on these pitches, just unfortunate we couldn’t get the runs to back them up.”

The man of the moment Indian skipper Virat Kohli said: “All the wins were special, but this one because we had to work harder, the South African batsmen put their head down and played for the draw, always hard work. I just asked the bowlers to put their hands up and that’s what happened after tea … That really depends on how much energy the team is showing, standing on my own I can’t do anything, all 11 guys deserve the credit … we were surprised with how they were defending, their approach … the bowlers did not lose patience .. they can be really proud of their effort today. We have bowlers who have the pace it is important to back them on any surface … it is important to give them confidence at the right times and they have to respond as well. I just want to thank the crowd; it has been tremendous playing in front of a packed stadium. Thank you for your support.”

(Quotes source espncricinfo commentary)