INDIA TOOK A LEAD OF 2-0 IN THE SERIES

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India thrashed England and took a 2-0 lead in the series. It was a complete all around performance from Virat Kohli’s young team India. Ravindra Jadeja named Man of the Match for his magnificent 90 runs in difficult situation and pick up 4 wickets in the match.

Virat Kohli, Indian captain: None of the pitches have been turners. We’ve been playing very good cricket and gaining confidence. That’s evident on the field. Getting them for 280 was a boost. Amazing contribution by the lower order. Puts the opposition on the back foot once you get a lead of 134. Professional from Parthiv to finish it off. I was surprised by the cheer after winning the toss to be honest. You still have to go out there and play good cricket. That motivated us actually to show that the toss doesn’t matter for this team. First time in Indian history that Nos 7, 8, 9 have struck fifties. That’s a brilliant stat. We always thought we needed more resistance from the lower order. Ashwin has obviously been a champion, the no. 1 all-rounder in world cricket. Jadeja is in the top 10 as well. But for Jayant to have that kind of maturity, he’s been a revelation. They’ve been standing out every game. Umesh and Shami have rushed their batsmen. When you can bounce them out and intimidate them with the ball, it always pleases you as a captain. They can get you a couple of wickets in the middle when the situation is tough. Shami feels the injury has been a blessing in disguise. He’s become more hard-working. He feels stronger. When the bowler is in that sort of a zone, you have to let it be. He’s been a champion for us in the past as well. No worries as such. Really happy with the way the guys have stood up, especially Jadeja with the bat and the fast bowlers. Felt bad for Karun getting run out. But he’s a good batsman and will be looking forward to the next match. We are in a good space and will look to enjoy the little break we have now.

Ravindra Jadeja is Man of the Match.

Jadeja: I’m very happy with my performance, especially with the bat. When I went out there, I was looking to play as long as I can because ball was not coming on. I knew if I can play 40 balls, I can convert. Knew I can easily score runs later on. I was thinking that I won’t take chance against off-spinner. Wanted to take chance against leg-spinner. Unfortunately the ball came slow and didn’t hit the middle. Next time I reach 90, I’ll be careful and play normal shots. There was nothing for spinners. I was just looking to bowl in the right area and not to give them boundaries. Had a chat with Virat about trying to bowl 5 maiden overs. Luckily I got Ben Stokes in the first innings and Joe Root in the second.

Alastair Cook, England captain: It was a good toss to win. After getting bowled out for 280, you don’t win too many games in this part of the world. We were behind the eight-ball. We had a little bit of a sniff with them at 200/6 but they managed a good total. Frustrating not to cross 300 of late. Need to improve on that if we have to win games of cricket here. He’s [Stokes] a brilliant player. One of those all-rounders who balances the team. Allows you to play an extra bowler. Only going to get better and better. To play like that with his injured finger, shows courage and bravery [talking about Hameed]. Credit to India, they’ve outplayed us. Few days off now so we can go our separate ways a bit. Lots of English faces here, great to have that support. Hameed has to go home unfortunately and have a plate put in his hand. There’s no doubt we’ll see him again in an England shirt.

Ravichandran Ashwin: “A little bit of lower abdominal strain, it started on the first day itself. It has got better. We were in a bit of bother on day 2, but the belief in the dressing room was tremendous. We back the lower-order to score around 125 runs. And I thought we put up a stellar show. Jaddu played really well. It was fabulous to watch him. I thought we got most wickets due to pressure. Bowlers need to hunt in pairs just like the batsmen. Special mention to Jaddu. The fact that the pitch didn’t do much, he bowled brilliant lines and lengths. He formed the perfect foil for us. Yeah, I was happy on Cook’s wicket, but Moeen Ali’s wicket was even more pleasurable. I knew he was gonna come down and I slowed it down. If you bowl it short, it’s good length for us, but for PP [Parthiv Patel] it’s short. He does play the cut shot really well.”

Parthiv Patel: “I was very nervous before the Test started. The kind of welcome I got from the dressing room, it never felt as if I was playing after 8 years. I’m glad that we won the Test match and everyone contributed as well. I had a great time in the dressing room. It suits my game, the wicket was very flat as well, if you have a good start when you chase, it seals the game right there and then. The kind of pace he [Ashwin] is varying was brilliant. I was talking to Ash constantly, he was deceiving me in the flight as well. He was doing it brilliantly. It’s been pretty long since I kept wickets for him. It was perfect for me, I was trying to back myself. I got plenty of runs in first class cricket and I keep my game simple. I have worked on my batting a lot. When I started playing I only used to cut and pull, I had to make sure I need to drive as well. Cut shot comes naturally to me.”