Oval track didn’t help the fast bowlers much but Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav And Shardul Thakur Shared seven wickets to bundle England out for 210, giving India a comprehensive 157-run victory.
“This is one of the top three bowling performances I have seen as captain of India,” Kohli said with a big smile on his face during the presentation ceremony.
Kohli did not lay much emphasis on the fact that it was a flat and calm track where his bowlers performed exceptionally, but appreciated the strong character displayed by his players after a 99-run lead.
“It’s pretty relative what you call flat. The conditions were hot and we knew Jadeja was with an opportunity when he was bowling rough. The bowlers were good with reverse swing today. We were confident that we all got 10 wickets. can achieve, we had faith.
“Well, I think the best thing about both games (Lord’s and The Oval) is the character the team has shown. We’re not looking to survive in this game, we’re here to win Really proud of the character of the team.
Bumrah made a huge impact on the game with his spell in the second session of the day when he dismissed Ollie Pope (2) and Jonny Bairstow (0).
Kohli said that it was Bumrah who wanted to go to the England bowlers at that time and he delivered.
“As soon as the ball started to reverse, Bumrah said give me the ball. He bowled that spell and turned the game in our favor with those two big wickets,” he said.
For Kohli, Shardul Thajur’s all-round performance was also instrumental in his team’s emphatic victory.
“You pointed to his performance. Rohit’s innings was brilliant. What Shardul has done in this game has come to the fore. His two fifties overtook the opposition. He batted well in both the innings,” he said.
When it was pointed out that his decision to keep R Ashwin on the bench proved correct, Kohli clarified his position.
“We never turn to analysis, statistics and numbers. We know what we need to focus on and we make collective decisions as a group. Whatever noise it makes in the beginning, bothers us. does not do.”
England captain Joe Root also said that Bumrah’s spell changed the game.
The home captain said, “Credit to India, they reversed the ball. I thought Bumrah’s spell was the real turning point of the game.”
“It’s disappointing to not get anything out of today’s game. We thought we had a chance to win. We could have taken more lead in the first innings, and you have to count the chances against world-class players.
“Had to find ways to get better but be realistic and realize it was world class bowling.”
Rohit Sharma was adjudged man of the match for his 127-run knock in the second Indian innings. This was Rohit’s first century in an overseas Test series.
“I wanted to be on the field as long as I could. That century was special. We know how important the second innings was. Really glad I was able to get the team in a crucial position.
“The three-figure mark was not on my mind, we knew the pressure on the batting unit so we kept our heads down and batted on position. Once we got the lead. We just wanted to put pressure on the bowlers.
“I know the importance of opening the innings. I’m glad I could make it count.”
Rohit said that he used the long break to sharpen his skills after losing the final of the World Test Championship against New Zealand and it showed in this Test series.
“It’s always important to accept the challenge, it’s not going to be easy. Back in Durham we had time to look at our training and technique and after the World Test Championship final, we had 20-25 days, this one was the real game-changer,” he said.
He did not field in England’s second innings. When asked about his injury, he said, “Feeling good at the moment, the message from the physio is that we have to assess every minute.”
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