With this kind of line-up I don't see why we can't go abroad and win: Anil Kumble

Team India has had a wonderful season where they have scripted some emphatic victories over New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and now Australia. The collective effort of the team has been the plus point as they have dominated team after team on home soil proving their mettle in the longest format.

The Border-Gavaskar trophy was nicely poised after the third Test at Ranchi ended in a draw marking the one at Dharamsala to be the decider. The two gigantic cricketing nations battled it out beautifully at Dharamsala but it was the hosts who got the better of the visitors in the end.

A wonderful bowling performance in the second innings paved the way for the batsmen to complete a tremendous series win against one of the top-ranked sides in world cricket. The series has been one of the most thrilling ones in the last few years as both the teams showed class and quality throughout the same.

Anil Kumble, the Indian head coach was absolutely delighted about the fact that his team successfully regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. According to the former leg-spinner, everything went according to plan and it has been one of India’s most successful seasons. He was also all praises for Rahane who led the team exceptionally and did not let the team feel Kohli’s absence.

Anil Kumble said: “We spoke about this in West Indies. Before the start of the long season that we will take it one Test at a time, one series at a time and one session at time. To finish off like this after being 0-1 down, fabulous. It was important for the team to stand up after Virat’s injury and Rahane led the team well. After losing the toss the bowlers did well to restrict them. I think the fast bowlers have bowled well throughout the season; especially yesterday to see Umesh and Bhuvi running in like that. The mind games were done on the pitch and chasing 106 in the last innings was brilliant.”

The former legend believes that all his players made good use of the conditions and have adapted to the same well. But he also highlighted the area of concern for the team which has been fielding. India has let quite a few catches at slip in the series which is not expected of a top quality side like them.

“The positives have been adapting to different conditions. We have had 25 players come in and they have adapted to the conditions. We played in six new venues and we have adapted each and everyone of them without knowing what to expect. Everyone has contributed; lower-order and the bowlers. We need to improve our catching and that is something we will look to improve.

“After the loss in Pune to come back and win the series, just brilliant. Once you have bowlers to pick 20 wickets in any condition that’s when you start competing. Jadeja has been brilliant, Ashwin of course, everyone knows what he is capable of. He has come out of the shadows. With this kind of line-up I don’t see why we can’t go abroad and win. I think that (DRS) certainly helped, once it came out in the England series, it has certainly helped.” Kumble said.

Indian star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin spoke about his fitness and how he managed to keep himself going amidst his injury.

“It was very special (second session on day three). The game was in the balance and we got our noses head because of that (Umesh and Bhuvi’s) spell. He (Umesh) was blasting away, got Warner and Renshaw. I have been battling injury and credit to the physio for keeping me fit. Felt a little jadded in Ranchi as well, but I had to put my hand up and had to perform for the team. Happy with the way I bowled yesterday. We (him and Jadeja) have been hand in hand throughout the series. Credit needs to be given to Jaddu. He keeps it tight and allows me to experiment.”

Umesh Yadav himself was very happy being able to perform when needed for the men in blue. According to the pacer he has been well advised by Sanjay Bangar which has taught him a lot.

Umesh said: “It was time to do something. I was just bowling to my strong points and the spinners finished it. I was trying my best to get early wickets and go with the rhythm from the last six months. I wanted to something for my team and I happy that I was able to contribute. I hang around with Sanjay (Bangar) and he keeps telling me to keep believing in myself.”

Indian opener KL Rahul has evolved as a class batsman in this season for India and he was extremely thankful to be a part of the team that just recorded the series victory against Australia. Rahul took his time to get going but eventually did which helped the Indian team get solid at the top.

“This series has taught me a lot. After the Pune Test I could not play the big shots, that was a big restriction. Nothing else matters than a Test series win against Australia. I took a few knocks, but all I was telling myself it was okay to take a few hits for my team. The way Jinks came out and started hitting sixes was amazing. It is one of the best Test matches and Test series we have been part of.” Umesh said.

Cheteshwar Pujara who has been the highest run getter for India in this season was overjoyed in seeing of the Aussies and spoke about the important of having partnerships during a match.

Pujara said: “We had a fantastic series, especially after a disappointing first Test. We wanted to win it 3-1, but we won it 2-1 and we are very happy. All of us contributed. We have been having partnerships from the Bangalore Test match. I was just telling that we needed partnerships even if we were not scoring many runs. I was telling KL that he was getting himself out, especially after the Bangalore Test, rather than the bowlers getting him out. We have been batting well throughout the series. Not really (when asked if he wanted a break after a great season). I would still like to keep going if there were a few matches. We wanted to be No. 1 as a team. I really enjoyed this particular season.”