This win is the most fulfilling of my captaincy, says Kohli

Visibly elated after India’s comeback win in the second Test against Australia here on Tuesday, skipper Virat Kohli termed the victory as the most fulfilling of his captaincy. After losing the opening Test, India managed to level the four-match series with 75-run win on the penultimate day. Excerpts.
 

On if this win was more fulfilling than others in his captaincy: For sure. Till now, this is the best one definitely. It was quite an emotional game for us, quite draining as well. Everyone got along together, we showed the team spirit, and a lot of people were talking about the head of the snake, but I think the snake did pretty well by itself, so it’s not just about one individual. I’m pretty happy if they keep focussing on the head of the snake, and the snake can sting from a lot of directions. I think some people need to keep that in mind, but I thought (this was) the sweetest victory for us.

On the bowlers setting up the game on day two: I think the first session on day two – we gave away only 45-odd runs and picked up two wickets when they could have taken the game away from us – they were 40 without loss (overnight). I think that was probably the momentum-change that we needed, and throughout the day we didn’t give more than 200 runs, we picked up six wickets, I think that for us was quite important, and something that you look for as a team. Someone has to step up and do the job for you. I think Jadeja was outstanding in the first innings along with our fast bowlers. Their spell again was very good, relentless pressure from one end by Umesh (Yadav) and Ishant (Sharma) and then (Ravindra) Jadeja picking up those wickets later on.

On if he was a bowler short on the surface: I don't think so, because we knew the Bangalore wicket where one or two bowlers have been getting a lot of wickets. If you see this Test match as well, (Nathan) Lyon got eight in the first innings, then Jadeja got six, then (Josh) Hazlewood six and (Ravichandran) Ashwin six. So, I think one bowler has stood out. Even in the first-class season we saw that. From that feedback, we knew that we had to play an extra batter just to strengthen up a batting a bit, because we were shaken up in Pune a little bit. And you need guys to have that bit of cushion.

On team dealing with the pressure after Pune loss: We had spoken even before this Test match about, if they are saying that they need to get me out and the team will fall apart, I told everyone else, it’s an opportunity for you. We addressed it, and said, let their focus be on this, and if they don’t focus on the others, they’ll let the momentum slip, and that’s exactly what happened. They basically played into our hands. But at the same time you need two-three people to step up and take responsibility, and I feel that the partnership between Ajinkya and Pujara, in a situation where the momentum was against us in the series, was outstanding.