India take series with thumping win
SKIPPER Virat Kohli said Australia were no longer his friends after India wrapped up a bad-tempered test series 2-1 with a thumping eight-wicket win in Dharamsala yesterday.
Chasing 106 on the penultimate day of the fourth test, opener Lokesh Rahul hit 51 not out at India’s newest test venue as the hosts seized back the Border-Gavaskar trophy from Australia.
India’s stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane (38 not out) hit two sixes in a row off paceman Pat Cummins en route to the team’s seventh successive test series victory, a run that kicked off with their triumph in Sri Lanka in 2015.
But Kohli, who sat out the final test with a shoulder injury, said any warm feelings he had toward Australia before the test had evaporated during the bitter contest that ensued between the world’s top two sides.
“The thing I said before the first test [about being friends], I have certainly been proven wrong, you won’t hear me say that ever again,” he told a post-match media conference.
The 28-year-old skipper caused a furore in the second test after accusing his counterpart Steven Smith of repeatedly abusing the decision review system.
But Kohli, who managed only 46 runs in the series, said the hardfought series against Australia was the most satisfying of India’s recent run, which included victories over New Zealand, England and Bangladesh in an extended home season.
“Unbelievable. This is the best series win so far,” Kohli – who received the test mace on behalf of India for ending the season as the world’s top side – said.
“The way the Australian team gave us a fight was really amazing, but the way the [India] guys kept bouncing back showed the true character of the side.”
India’s cricket board rewarded their players who featured in all four tests with a cash bonanza of $77 000 (R994 000).
Smith, meanwhile, apologised for letting emotions get the better of him. On Monday footage indicated he called Murali Vijay a cheat for wrongly claiming a catch.
“I have been pretty intense throughout this series. I really wanted to do well for the team. At times I have been in my own bubble and have let my emotions slip. I apologise for that,” Smith said.
In the maiden test played in Dharamsala, India scored 332 in their first innings in reply to Australia's 300, before the tourists collapsed for just 137 on the third day.
On day four, India lost Vijay to fast bowler Cummins and Cheteshwar Pujara to a run out.
Despite these scares, the hosts reached their target in fewer than 24 overs. – AFP