“Really enjoyed the win. Credit to all the boys. Not only this series, but to whoever has played this season. I am really happy as a captain. I thought our bowlers, batsmen and fielders, they all did well. In low-scoring games, you just need 30-40 quick runs in the middle. I was thinking of the Galle defeat when we got into our shell,” said the stand in Captain Ajinkya Rahane.
“It really feels great 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 off-spinner and left-arm spinner also works well. It is difficult for any team to play such a combination.I will try to get to a hundred next time, and celebrate with two bats as swords,” said Ravindra Jadeja after he bagged Man of the series award.
“I wanted to do something special for the team. I just told myself this is the last Test of the season and I have to show what I have got. Knowing this is the last game, I just gave it my all. I was just trying hard to do something special for the team, special for me too. This kind of spells come rarely. Thankful to Sanjay Bangar bhai. He keeps telling me these are my strong points, and asks me to keep bowling there,” said Umesh Yadav.
“It’s 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. After Virat’s injury Rahane led the team brilliantly after losing the toss. The fast bowlers throughout the season have bowled brilliantly. They bowled quick and the mind games done on the pitch that changed the way we approached the game. With this kind of line-up, with the lower-order contributions, I don’t see any reason why we can’t start winning abroad. Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) was brilliant through the season. (Ravichandran) Ashwin of course we know what he is capable of but Jaddu has always been in the shadows. But he has now come out of it and to be the No. 1 spinner is brilliant,” said Indian coach Anil Kumble.
“It is now time for the Indian cricket team to produce results in overseas conditions. Every Indian cricketer dreams of doing well in foreign conditions, the satisfaction of which is “completely different.” Winning overseas is what we always want to do, that’s the test we set ourselves as players. It’s a greater satisfaction that in conditions that you are not used to, you have done well. India has the pace bowling reserves as well. That really is good news particularly with India going to play overseas. Rahane has joined five Mumbai players who have won their first match as captains,” said Sunil Gavaskar.
