XtraTime Web Desk: Though the Indian cricket team has lost the fourth test against England by 60 runs and lost the test series as well but skipper Virat Kohli feels that they have pushed the home side to earn victories. Kohli and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane formed a century partnership here in Southampton in the second innings but it was not good enough.
“I don’t think we need to prove to anyone that we have the ability. Not many teams come close to us when we play at home. But to make the home sides earn victory against us, that’s a huge boost for us. Whether people want to look at it or not, that is not something we can control, but as a group we definitely feel that we have pushed the home side to earn victories,” said Kohli at the post match press-conference.
In this series many times India were in a better position and they let the opposition fight back again and again. Kohli is also tired with it and he wants this thing to stop.
“Look we’ve spoken about that, about the fact that even during the match when we’re in a driving position, we should be able to capitalize on it and not let the opposition come in and fight back again and again. We can take a leaf out of that. Nottingham we did that, for three days we were relentless and we’re on top. So we need to think about how to start a series like that as well. As a group we need to be more relentless when we start a series and be a bit more expressive and fearless at the beginning of a series,” added Kohli.
Kohli also backed the team’s ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who didn’t put much impact on a tricky pitch which was helping the spinners.
“He tried his best. He bowled a lot of overs. He pitched the ball in the right areas. He didn’t get the results he would have intended but we all go out there to give our best effort. No one wants to not do well. We all try to do well. Some innings it doesn’t come off. On flat wickets batsmen can get out. So this was one occasion where Ashwin could himself feel he could have got more purchase out of the wicket,” said Kohli.
England’s star all-rounder Moeen Ali bowled brilliantly as he took 9 wickets in the match against India. He was also adjudged Man of the Match for his brilliant bowling in both the innings. On being asked about Moeen’s performance, Kohli said,” I don’t know, I just really like the guy. I’ve never really sat down and analysed his career. We never speak about cricket too much because he’s such a lovely guy to talk to. We generally talk about other things, but yeah, he’s got good skills. That’s why he’s been around for so long, that’s why he was picked in the IPL as well. He’s definitely a very talented cricketer.”