Winning like this is an evidence of the character of this side: Virat Kohli

Team India completed an emphatic win over England in the last Test at Chennai and with that, Virat Kohli & Co. lifted the Anthony De Mello Trophy 4-0. It wasn’t an easy day and to start with England batted really well and went into lunch without the loss of a wicket. In the second session Ravindra Jadeja found the breakthrough and made it three, with Ishant Sharma finding the wicket of Jonny Bairstow they were four down at tea.

While England played to draw the Test the Indian intent was too hot for them to handle. Jadeja was at his best with little assistance from the wicket he made the ball turn, bounce and had the visitors panting all the time. Skipper Virat Kohli earned one wicket with Amit Mishra and another by handling the second new ball to Umesh Yadav and the end was a perfect one. Jadeja induced an edge off Jake Ball and Karun Nair the triple centurion caught a reflex catch in slip to end the game and the series.

Indian captain was excited, especially the type of game his team put up right through the series. They lost four off the five tosses and the pitches weren’t doctored either despite all that they beat England quite comprehensively. For scoring 655 runs in the series Virat Kohli was also awarded the Man of the Series. In the post-match presentation he said: “Specially after winning the series 3-0 and winning like this is an evidence of the character of this side. The pride was evident in the way we batted and bowled. We wanted the youngsters to do well. KL had a good domestic season. Karun had 2 innings and then does this. It’s always tricky when you scored 477.”

They didn’t find any success in the opening session but still had the belief they can win and that reflected in their intent. “We realized that once we got a couple of wickets, it will be a downward slide. Jadeja did the job in both the innings. Hit right areas and made it uncomfortable for the batsmen. Very proud. Toss and pitches were out of the equation. We were batting behind by 400 runs and then won by an innings.”

He also emphasized on the fact that the team puts in a lot of hard work to be in a position where they are. “We work hard everyday and believe in us. What matters is what each one of us thinks about the other. And it’s evident on the field. Nobody is playing for himself. Everytime we were put under the pump, we have tightened up on giving away wickets at crucial time, after intervals. The lower order has deflated the opposition and their hard work in the nets showed. Our pace was quicker than their’ss, even the consistency, and it was very proud to see that as an Indian captain. Kudos to the hard work they have put in.”

Nothing quite went England’s way and captain Alastair Cook had to admit they were beaten by a better team: “You can’t have excuses. India are the better team and they deserve to win. This was a good fifth day wicket. Turned from the rought apart from the odd ball. We weren’t good enough to bat out. It was about missed opportunities. We dropped crucial chances and India kept punishing us. We haven’t been better than the opposition. Our catch drops have cost us. We just haven’t scored enough runs and not taken wickets. It is a tough dressing room to be in. Tough to play five Tests in six weeks. It’s a tough place to come and win and we have not been good enough.” He said.

For picking the best bowling figures of his Test career, Ravindra Jadeja was awarded them Man of the Match.: “I am very happy that there was no such help from the wicket but we still did well. Me and Ashwin were bowling in right areas. It was a good experience bowling on a flat wicket and I picked up a fifer. I am very happy. I felt nice. Whenever the team needed wickets, someone chipped in. It is always pleasing to bowl in partnerships. Mishy bhai, Yadav also played their part during the series. It feels nice to get the number 1 batsman so many times (on Cook being his bunny). It helps you gain your confidence. I am very pleased as well I have been working hard on my bowling.”

This wasn’t Ashwin’s game; he did well to beat the outside edge of the bat so often and also got a few edges but the ball was grounded and he ended the game with just one wicket. In a chat after the conclusion of the game Ashwin said: “It was a challenging track o bowl on, I thought he did really well to vary his pace. We wanted to be very aggressive, come out and knock a couple over. The heartening fact was everyone in the series was in the game. They put their hand up, Ishant, Umesh got crucial wickets. Jaddu hardly gives anything away, which gives me freedom to give it a bit more air and vary the pace.”

KL Rahul batted so well for his hundred and just when he was on the verge of a double was dismissed on 199. He said the feeling is yet to settle and would want to forget it only once he scored a Test double century.  Rahul said: “Not easy, been a tough road for me, coming in and out, not easy being injured. But I was really humbled to go out there and get some runs, then I wanted to get as many as I can. [Missing 200?] It will take some time to leave me but hopefully I will learn from my mistakes and get better and better. It was turning off the rough and the slower the spinners bowled the more it bounced. The fast bowlers created pressure and the rough, which Ashwin knew would come in handy.”

It has been an unbelievable start to the coaching career of Anil Kumble. His team has done really well, they have executed their plans, whoever has been brought in the team has taken the responsibility and scored runs or picked wickets. A complete team performance has helped them win the series and the coach was very happy with the way his team has been playing. “Karun helped us get to 280 [ahead] and that gave us an opportunity. We all knew about his ability, we were disappointed with the first couple of knocks he had, but as soon as he got going he showed what he is capable of. He’s a long-term prospect, in his third match to score a triple-hundred is fantastic. Everyone has come in and contributed and we have won on fantastic wickets, despite losing the toss.” Kumble said.