India in Sri Lanka: Drawing a Test is the last option for this team, says Kohli

Having registered their first series win on Sri Lankan soil in more than two decades, Indian skipper Virat Kohli today declared that there will be no change in his team’s philosophy of aggressive cricket as “drawn game is the last option’ for this current bunch of cricketers.

“We maintain that drawing a Test match has to be the last option for our group of guys right now. They have responded beautifully and there is nothing better than winning” Kohli said at the post-match press conference here.

“I think this might be the right kind of boost that we require and they would want to beat other teams as well. This is the right kind of push that this team needed,” Kohli said after India beat Sri Lanka by 117 runs in the third and final Test to clinch a 2-1 scoreline.

“I think winning is always really, really encouraging for the squad. Especially, the way we have won this series should be the right kind of catalyst for us to play the same brand of cricket wherever we play in the future,” the skipper said.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s classy 145 laid the foundation for the series win and the skipper was first one to acknowledge that.

“Cheteshwar’s knock was world class. One of the best I have seen in Test cricket. Apart form that, the bowlers have really stood out in this series,” said the young skipper.

With India failing to close in on a lot of matches, Kohli was asked as to what changed for this current unit.

“I can’t really pinpoint what has changed but the one difference I have seen is we have capitalized on the important moments in the game. And that is something we spoke as a team before the series,” said Kohli.

“As I said, to win a Test match you need to take 20 wickets. The way they have bowled in partnerships in this series has been something that has stood out for me. As a captain making changes and bowling in partnerships has been very, very pleasing because it makes your job very easy. I think this series belongs to the bowlers because they have been outstanding.”

India’s next Test series is at home against South Africa in November, which is two months from now. Kohli was relieved that they are not playing the longer format immediately as then selecting a first XI with so many performers would have been difficult.

“I am glad we have some time off before we play Test matches again because if you are playing a Test match again in 10 days’ time. I wouldn’t be able to select a team because everyone has scored runs, everyone has taken wickets, so who will you drop? But yeah, problem of plenty is never bad. Guys in this group will understand and respect the decisions made by the management,” he added about selection dilemmas.

Asked how he has grown as a captain with this series, a smiling Kohli replied,“I don’t want to say that I have grown as a captain as the moment I make a mistake, I will be treated as a child again.”

Kohli said that patience is key to success in Test cricket as one mistake can turn the game around.

“In Test cricket, an hour of bad cricket or bad execution can turn the whole game around. So I think we have done well to maintain our composure, do well in those moments and that is why we have been able to win two Test matches after being 1-0 down.”

The skipper maintained that they have addressed the issue of closing in matches, within the group.

“That is something we have addressed and it only shows the hunger of the guys in improving as cricketers in actually wanting to close games of cricket rather than hesitating at times. We have gone through a learning curve.

“In the last two years, a lot of people have gone from two Tests to 15-16 matches and that has been a learning, as to how they are able to react in a certain situation. That has changed over a period of time and that only comes with experience,” he added.

Kohli said there was no substitute to hardwork and that would be the mantra of this team.

“They are willing to work harder than they might have in the past, they have been willing to put in that extra effort. The guys have really understood and accepted that sometimes you have to show that discipline and not concede too many runs so the pressure can be created.

“This series has been a revelation with this bowling attack and the guys have understood and learnt from this experience,” he added.

As a skipper, he believes in backing his individuals so that they can “express themselves” freely.

“It is very important to back individuals and get the best out of them because you will never know until you give them the chance to express themselves, how good they are, how good they are in pressure situations, or can they win a game for you in particular situations or from particular situations.

“If you see the second innings they changed the whole game around for us and we got 112 runs in a session where it was supposed to be helping the bowlers. From my end I made all the effort to make them feel comfortable, allowing them to go out there and express themselves in any sort of situation to benefit the team,” said Kohli.

PTI