India captain Virat Kohli has hailed his team’s “superb character and fighting spirit” after the hosts recorded a thumping 317-run win over England in the second Test to level the ongoing four-match Test series at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday (February 16).
The dominant Indian cricket team made the most of the spin-friendly conditions on offer at the Chepauk Stadium, as the hosts bowled England out for 134 and 164 runs in the first and second innings respectively after posting 615 runs across two innings.
India’s experienced off-spinner R Ashwin was the standout performer for Team India, as the veteran all-rounder returned with an impressive 8-wicket haul as well as hammered his fifth Test ton to win Player of the Match in the second Test against England.
With the comprehensive victory, India leveled the four-match Test series and will now head to Ahmedabad for the rest of the two Tests with the third Test is a Day-Night contest from February 24.
After India’s impressive win in the second Test, Kohli took to Twitter to laud his efforts against England while saying they are now shifting focus into the third Test in Ahmedabad.
Kohli wrote on Twitter on Tuesday: “Superb character and fighting spirit on display. Well done boys. The focus is now on the next one,”
The India captain said at the post-match presentation: “Look, it was a bit strange in the first game to play at home without crowds in the stands. Things were flat, to be honest, and myself included. We to pick up the energy. We were on the money this game and the crowd makes a massive difference and you push more as a team.”
He signed off by hailing the Chennai crowd, “The Chennai crowd everyone knows is very, very intelligent and they understand their cricket really well. For the 15-20 mins, when the bowler needs support from the crowd, it's my responsibility (to egg the crowd on). When I'm bowling in the heat, you need motivation from the crowd.”
(With ANI/PTI Inputs)
