Test captain Virat Kohli doesn't forget to praise hosts Sri Lanka for their splendid second innings batting after Team India win the Colombo Test inside four days by an innings and 53 runs
Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne celebrates his hundred against India in Colombo yesterday. Pic/AP,PTI
Virat Kohli's India have now won eight Test series on the trot, with only Ricky Ponting having enjoyed a longer streak than that, In Colombo, just as in Galle, India were too good for Sri Lanka, wrapping up the Test with more than a day to spare yesterday.
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Sri Lanka fought hard in the second innings, giving up on their plan to sweep compulsively, choosing their moments well. Centuries from Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis scored excellent centuries, and Virat Kohli, India's captain, admitted that he was deeply impressed with the manner in which these two batsmen played. "Credit to them, it requires a lot of ability and mental strength. I mean we were actually watching in awe yesterday," said Kohli. "The sweeping was outstanding and we congratulated both the batters because it was proper Test cricket batting and high quality temperament from both as well."
Captain Virat Kohli (right) is congratulated by Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath after India's win in Colombo yesterday. Pic/AFP
All praise for Jaddu
If he was generous to the opposition, Kohli was lavish in his praise of Jadeja. "Yeah, guys who have both abilities are very rare to find. That's where we think they're very precious, specially in the longer format because they provide you with great balance. He can give you a very quick 60-70 anywhere at any stage of the game, it can really turn the game. Remember Lord's, remember Dharamsala against Australia, those are very important innings, the 90 against England in Mohali," said Kohli.
"So it's not just when batters are doing well, it has come under pressure also, and he has the ability, he believes in it and he's worked extra hard in the last 10-12 months on his batting also. He's bowled so much that the other discipline was left behind, but now he's catching up in that as well. It's only going to do good to him. If he doesn't bowl well on a particular day, he can score runs. Once he scores runs, then he gets confidence with the ball also. He's always in the game, his fielding as well. I would say he's a very valuable cricketer for us."
After sealing the innings and 53-run win, to go with the 303-run win the first Test, Kohli was proud of the spirit in which the two teams have played this series.
Sportsman spirit
"If we are playing on the field, I always try to create as difficult a situation as possible so that the batsman gets out, but at the same time, if someone achieves something or bats well, then you must also appreciate it because this is Test cricket. The opposition will always test you," said Kohli.
"But when people do well, you understand how much strength and hard work it takes. So you must appreciate that, it is very necessary. When you do well, other people appreciate you. It can't be that no one from the opposition will not play well. We always keep saying in the dressing-room that we must praise the guys who do well and learn from them what they did well in his innings."
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