Australia skipper Tim Paine admitted that the hosts were outplayed by Virat Kohli and his team after India made the history by winning maiden Test series 2-1 in Australia on Sunday (January 6).
However, the hosts definitely had their moments throughout the four-match Test Series Down Under, but it was India who brilliantly dominated major parts of the rubber and deserved the historic win in Australia, felt Paine, who also congratulated Kohli and Ravi Shastri for the historic triumph in Tests.
Paine told reporters, “Tip our hats to India. We know personally going to India and playing in foreign conditions, how difficult it is. Congratulations to Virat and Ravi. Huge effort to come and win a series overseas. In the last two Tests, no doubt. Had our chances to win in Adelaide. India outplayed us in big moments in that Test. In Perth, we did well. But we were outplayed in these last two Tests. So they deserve to win the series.”
However, the Aussie skipper said that there were positives for the hosts in the defeated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, saying his boys are looking forward to make the most of what they learned from the Test series against the Indian Cricket Team.
Paine continued, “There’s always positives. I know there’s been a lot of gloom and doom of late. Got some talent in this team. Obviously got some talent who aren’t playing. They were playing against potentially the best pace attack in the world. Hopefully, they’ll learn.”
Meanwhile, he also has a message for the players in the domestic circuit who sets sights on break it into the national team, adding: “Message is to keep scoring runs. That’s the currency in cricket. We’ve got guys outside the group that are putting pressure as well, so that’s a good thing. Our group is under no illusions. Cricket is a funny game. We know it can turn very quickly.”
The wicket-keeper batsman also revealed that he was looking forward to spending time with the family for a couple of days before the series against Sri Lanka comes up after a high-intensity India series.
Paine signed off by saying, “I’m fine, thanks (mentally drained?). Will go home for a couple of days now. And some of us will head to the Big Bash. And then we’ll have an eye on the preparation for Sri Lanka which is a big series for us next.”
(With Hindustan Times Inputs)
