After losing the fifth and final Test of the series as well as the whole Test series too, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli appreciated the team’s character and further claimed some experiences require to achieve success in overseas tours.
Trailing the five-match Test series by 3-1 before the fifth Test at The Oval, the visitors India came to fight in the final Test match to rescue some of their pride. Chasing down the mammoth 464 runs target in the fourth innings, most of the top-order batsmen lost their wickets quickly without putting any mark.
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Later, the opener KL Rahul and the young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant put desperate fights to save the game with a brilliant 204-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Both batsmen completed their centuries (KL Rahul 149 & Rishabh Pant 114) but the team finally failed to save the Test match.
After crediting both the Indian batsmen for their fighting knocks, Kohli claimed that it was competitive series which has been a great advert for Test cricket.
At the post-match presentation, Kohli said, “I think a lot of credit has to go to the two young guys (Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul). The kind of cricket we have played might not show on the scorecard. But both the teams know this series has been a competitive one. This has been a great advert for Test cricket. The basic idea was to go out there and play the cricket we are supposed to do. England are a professional side and we realized that as the game changed within two-three overs.”
Then the Indian skipper appreciated the team’s character and further claimed that some experiences need to achieve the success in overseas tours. Kohli is also hopeful to do better in next overseas tours.
The Indian captain added, “Pant showed a lot of grit and character. We have character in the team and we just need some experience. When you get into a zone when you are not thinking about the result, things go your way. I am delighted for both the guys and it speaks of India’s future. We did not take our opportunities. England played some fearless cricket and so did we, England don’t go in for draws. That is why you won’t see draws in these kind of series. We can take a lot of heart from this but apply ourselves better the next time around.”
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While the Indian skipper Virat Kohli won the Player of the Series, the young English cricketer Sam Curran was added in that award after Kohli and Indian head coach Ravi Shastri voted for him.
Talking about the reason of that selection, Kohli said, “There is a reason why we voted Sam (Curran) to be the Man of the series. It takes character to come in and play like that. He put England forward in the 1st and 4th Test match. There should be exciting pitches all over the result. The fans will come and watch if both teams play for a win. Just one word for Cook. You have had a great career. All the best for all your future endeavours.”
English Test skipper Joe Root also felt a very tough series it was where India played some brilliant cricket. He also appreciated India’s fightback on The Oval Test.
Root said, “It has been a very tough series. India have played some exceptional cricket. Everyone watching it would have been thrilled as well. India batted really well to get into that position in the final session.”
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Meanwhile, English cricketer Sam Curran feels great to be involved in the Test series as he called it was a great learning curve for him.
Curran quoted, “It is just nice to be involved in such a historic series. To win the series and send off Cookie, it is phenomenal. Playing with the likes of Broady, Jimmy and Stokes, It has been a good learning curve. I think consistency is the main thing. I Don’t look too far ahead. Hopefully, I can keep contributing. Missing out on the second game and then coming back to contribute was a great thing for me.”
