After creating history by becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli credited the entire team effort for this unforgettable achievement.
In the large Test cricket history, it was the very first time when an Asian member has won a Test series on the Australian soil. In the four-match Test series, India won by 2-1 as the final Test of the series at Sydney ended with a draw result.
When the Indian skipper Virat Kohli was asked to single out one innings or one spell that determined the series, Kohli replied, “It was a team effort through and through and that’s what we strive for. We strive to play well as a team. Single innings and single spells don’t win games of Test cricket. We play to make the team win.”
Also read: Virat Kohli Is The Proudest Man After Winning The Series
In the post-match presentation ceremony, Kohli claimed that this Test series victory is the best achievement of his career, even knowing the fact that he was an important young member of Indian cricket team during their victory in 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup at home.
Talking about on this matter, Kohli said in the post-match press conference, “It is definitely more special purely because of the fact that we have really badly wanted to win a series away from home.
“So having stuck to our tasks and executed what we wanted and having got the result we, as a team, feel complete.”
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Speaking about their preparation for this series, Kohli said that it was started during their last South Africa tour, which began in January 2018.
Talking about this proud moment, Kohli added, “It’s obviously a very proud moment. More so because for the last 12 months we understand what we have gone through as a team, we understand the kind of cricket we have been able to play.
“The fact that the reward has come in the most historic series for Indian cricket is the cherry on top of the cake.”
Kohli also praised the Indian bowlers, including the special mentioning to the fast bowlers, and feels that the contribution of the bowling unit is higher than the batting unit contribution.
The Indian captain said, “The way the bowlers have dictated and dominated, not here but also in England and South Africa, it’s something I haven’t seen before.
“Hats off to them, the way they’ve prepared, their fitness levels, and their mindset.
“If your fast bowlers are happy and fighting as a team, you can win anywhere in the world and you have a chance to beat any side in the world anywhere.
“In the last 12 months I would rate their contribution as far above all the batsmen that have contributed this season.”
Later, when Kohli was asked about his vision for Indian cricket, Kohli claimed that he wants to inspire the next generation to take up the Test cricket seriously.
Talking about for Test cricket, Kohli said, “I see this series as a stepping stone for this team to inspire the next lot of Test cricketers. To be passionate for Test cricket firstly. When Indian cricket respects Test cricket we know the fans are going to come in and watch Test cricket.
“In a world where a lot of people want the easy stuff, matches that finish in the evening, I think it is important to spread that message of Test cricket.
“We definitely want to build on this and always promote the message of Test cricket being the most important and the most valued format of the game, which it rightfully is. From where I see this is our vision for Indian cricket.”
After winning the series, the Indian cricketers had an easy dance step on the field in front of the Indian fans. Indian teammates also asked Cheteshwar Pujara, the Player of the Series winner after finishing as the leading run-scorer in this series, to imitate that step but Pujara didn’t seem comfortable to do that.
Cheteshwar Pujara: can bat, can't dance? 🤣🤣
Celebrations have well and truly begun for Team India! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/XUWwWPSNun
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2019
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Talking about that dance step, Kohli revealed, “You’ll have to ask Rishabh that, he came up with that and we just went along. I don’t know what he was trying to do to be honest. It just felt good, it was very easy, but Pujara couldn’t even do that. You can see how simple he is.
“That was the Pujara dance because when he walks he doesn’t move his hands. It’s more of an extension of his walk. Rishabh came up and we just joined in.”
