England vs India: Kohli credits players for belief in own’s abilities to bounce back

Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who produced another magnificent Test century to lead his side to a victory credited the team for believing in their own abilities, even when the others had given up hope on them.

Under the pump for consecutive Test defeats including the abject humiliation at Lord’s, India bounced back in style with a comprehensive 203-run victory in the 3^rd Test at Trent Bridge to keep themselves alive in the five-match series.

“We were down 0-2 in the series and a lot of people have stopped believing in us. But we believed in ourselves and that is why it is 1-2 now after 0-2. All that matter was what we thought inside the change room. Anything on the outside did not really matter. We believe we can win the series,” Kohli was quoted as saying by PTI at the post-match presentation ceremony on Wednesday.

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“The victory was much-needed in the context of this series. We have been clinical in all departments and it is a victory for the entire dressing room. A complete Test win for us,” Kohli added.

He was full of praise for the bowlers who have delivered with 20 wickets in five of the last six Tests India have played overseas and complemented the batting-unit who stepped up after disappointments in the opening two Tests.

“There was no panic in the team and we were outplayed in only one Test out of the five we had played since South Africa, and that was at Lord’s. We dominated in this game because we put runs on the board and then the bowlers did well. They (bowlers) were waiting and ready, even Ashwin did well with his injury,” said Kohli who with the victory – his 22^nd win in 38 matches – became India second most successful Test captain after MS Dhoni.

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“The bowling was ready to take 20 wickets again and the question was what we could do as batsmen to give them that cushion. I am glad that the batsmen stepped up. We spoke about stepping up as batsmen, and that’s what we did, and we set it up for the bowlers. When both skills come together with slip catching, we win Test matches. Everything came together for us.”

The Indian fast bowlers have averaged more pace than their England counterparts throughout the series and asked on how the subcontinent more used to producing world-class spinners have suddenly started building more potent fast bowlers, Kohli replied that it has been the result of their hard work and fitness.

“The most pleasing thing for me to see was that the four fastest bowlers in the series have all been Indians. We’ve worked on our fitness, on our mind set, cutting down on loose deliveries. They’re getting better and better the more Test cricket they’ve played. It’s a delight to watch when they’re running in.