Skipper Virat Kohli said India will look to “build on” the 3-0 series victory over South Africa in their effort to become a better Test team.
Skipper Virat Kohli said India will look to “build on” the 3-0 series victory over South Africa in their effort to become a better Test team. Down and out in the T20 and the one-day series, the hosts turned it around in the Tests giving no space to the world no. 1 side.
And even though the pitch debate dominated India’s victories in Mohali and Nagpur — first and third Tests respectively — their 337-run win in Delhi on the day asserted their status as a unit that can keep the fight going under all conditions.
Said Kohli, “I feel that it all began in Australia for us, the way we played there. We showed character even in defeats.
“Test cricket has been one format where we all have wanted to do well. I will like to give credit to the team to show character and bounce back in the last two series like the way we have. We were always on the opposition’s heels that we could cash in on any stage. That gave us a lot of belief as a Test team. We want to be better.”
Reckoning that this win will have a huge impact on the young team, the 27-year-old said it was a big positive.
“It has a positive and huge impact on the mindset of players, because as I said, it all started in Australia and gave us the confidence that we can beat any side in the world.
“If you win one Test match, it can turn around pretty quickly. We saw that in Sri Lanka, that was a major boost for our mental set-up. This is the icing on the cake. Everyone is contributing, which is the essence of any good team,” he said.
India though did not have it easy in the final Test, with the visitors adopting defensive measures in an effort to push for a draw.
Kohli said he was both “surprised and impressed” with South Africa’s approach but did not really endorse it.
“It was a personal strategy from the team. I was quite surprised that they decided to defend from the very first ball. Yes, it is not easy to bat like this but at no stage did we panic. Everyone was in proper intensity and we finished the game.
“Though their tactics had nothing to do with the spirit of the game. They were just doing whatever suited them and it was their choice.”
The 27-year-old year said he enjoyed taking up responsibility and also praised Ajinkya Rahane for his twin hundreds.
“What I like about him (Rahane) is that his intent is really good and is backed by solid technique, which is a rare balance.
To find that balance early in the career is commendable and he played some very important knocks for us in the last couple of years.
“He is probably one of the most important people in our middle order. I enjoyed batting with him,” the skipper said.
