We definitely believe we can win series, says Kohli
NOTTINGHAM: Virat Kohli, named Man-of-the-match, praised the team’s belief after losing the first two Tests. “We definitely believe we can (win the series). It wouldn’t be 2-1 now if we didn’t believe that.”
He dedicated the win to victims of the Kerala floods.“we as a team want to dedicate the victory to the flood victims back home in Kerala. People are going through a lot, and this is the least we can do,” Kohli said.
“It is a pleasing performance in all three departments and it is a victory for the entire dressing room -- a complete Test for us,” he said. “We just want to keep pushing forward, and keep wanting to win. It doesn’t matter who takes the wickets or scores runs.”
Kohli said India’s turnaround was due to the batsmen taking responsibility. “They’re a quality bowling attack and you need grit to score against them, and that’s what Jinx (Rahane) in the first innings and Puji (Pujara) in the second showed.
“The most pleasing thing for me is the four fastest bowlers in the series are all Indians. We’ve worked on our fitness, on our mindset, cutting down on loose deliveries. They’re getting better and better. It’s a delight to watch when they’re running in.”
Coach Ravi Shastri said India won’t get carried away and proving a point to critics after going 0-2 down or emulating Don Bradman’s Australia of 1936-37 with a comeback series win wasn’t on the players’ minds.
Shastri explained what he had asked of the players after the innings defeat at Lord’s. “Little practice, mental rest; clear your heads, show accountability.”
“In the four years I have been with the team, as a clinical performance overseas, this win has to be the best. The Johannesburg win in South Africa was gutsy, on a nasty track. Here we stood out in all three departments.”
India have the opportunity to become the second team to bounce back after losing the first two Tests. Shastri, when asked about it, said: “I was not even born then! One match at a time, live in the present. It’s not over. We must forget this win, move to Southampton and start afresh.”