Courtesy yet another half-century from opener KL Rahul, India reached the target of 106 runs with 8 wickets in hand to win the Dharamshala Test and with it clinch the Border-Gavaskar series 2-1.
Here are the reactions from the game:
Cheteshwar Pujara
“Fantastic series. Especially after the disappointment of the first Test. We probably wanted to win 3-1, but we are happy with 2-1. The way the fast bowlers bowled in the second innings was fabulous. We have been having good partnerships. I just told him we didn't want to to lose wickets in the first session on day two even if we didn't get runs. We knew if we didn't lose wickets, we could score big. The run rate was not that important. I would like to keep going if there were a few matches. I really enjoyed this home season, and hope to continue next season,”
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KL Rahul
"After Pune, I knew I couldn't play my shots, it was a big restriction.I love to play my shots, dominate the spinners, but I had to play a different game. Pretty disappointed I couldn't convert, but right now nothing else matters. Here I took a few knocks on the body. All I was telling myself, take a few hits for the team. I don't know what else was running in my mind. The way Jinks came out and started hitting Cummins for sixes... He just came out and said I am going to dominate."
Anil Kumble
"Fantastic. We spoke about it that we will take one series at a time, one match at a time, one session at a time. To come back from 1-0 down, when you could see there were tired bodies around, it was brilliant. Rahane led the team brilliantly after losing the toss. The fast bowlers throughout the season have bowled brilliantly. The positives have been adapting to conditions. We have had almost 25 players starting from West Indies. All 25 have stood up in different conditions. Even the new home venues, we didn't know how those pitches would behave. Everybody put his hand up. The one area we need to improve is catching. Jaddu was brilliant through the season. He has always been in the shadows, but he has now come out of it. With this kind of line-up, with the lower-order contributions, I don't see any reason why we can't win abroad."
Steve Smith
“Magnificent series.One of the best I have been a part of. Credit to India, they are a fantastic cricket side, particularly in their backyard. If you give them a sniff, they will take that. For Australia, this is the toughest conditions for us. To challenge them so much, I am proud. The middle session yesterday, when you lose five for 70, you put yourself behind. Credit to India. Umesh was fantastic. They have all been fantastic. A lot of people wrote us off. They said it was going to be a 4-0 whitewash. I am proud of the way we have competed. We have probably let a few moments slip. Against India you can't do that. What an amazing ground. The wicket was a good one. Pace and bounce, that's what we like. It suited spinners as well. If you are willing to bat time, you can get runs. I have been pretty intense throughout this series. I really wanted to do well for the team. At times I have been in my own bubble and have let my emptions slip. I apologise for that,”
Ravindra Jadeja
“Very good to be the No. 1 Test bowler. And being part of this champion Test side. When I batted, I was thinking to take my time and then Matthew Wade chirped from behind. That motivated me. If I can respond to him with runs, it will be great. Coaches and captain have been telling me I have the skill to bat long. I developed as a player overall. Some time ago people didn't consider me a Test bowler. This season is a good response to them. Ashwin and I maintain pressure from both ends. The variation of offspinner and left-arm spinner also works well. Hopefully we can continue this outside India too. I will try to get to a hundred next time, and celebrate with two bats as swords."
Ajinkya Rahane
“Unbelievable. This is our best series win so far. I thought England was intense, but the way Australia gave us a fight it was amazing on their part but our guys kept bouncing back. Shows the character and maturity. Ajinkya led the team really well. The changes we made in our fitness regime have paid off. Guys have been able to sustain the performance throughout the season. In the past we have had sessions where we have given away the game easily. Not this season. Been a team season. Not one or two individuals who have stood out. Unbelievable, the kind of fitness and desire the fast bowlers have shown, it has been game-changing. Still a few weeks to go till I can be 100% on the field. You have to take it in your stride and move forward."
Russel Arnold
Ayaz Memon
Shane Warne
Harsha Bhogle
Mitchell Johnson
Damien Fleming
Mohammad Kaif
Harbhajan Singh
Robin Uthappa
Irfan Pathan
Ajit Agarkar
Jason Gillespie
Shikhar Dhawan
Aakash Chopra
Sachin Tendulkar
Virender Sehwag
Rohit Sharma
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