England vs India 2018, 3rd Test: Virat Kohli Gifts Man of the Match Champagne Bottle to Ravi Shastri

Just after the receiving a bottle of champagne as a Man of the Match award in the post-match presentation ceremony, team India skipper Virat Kohli went straight to head coach Ravi Shastri in the dressing room and handed it over to him. It was Kohli’s way of thanking his coach for standing by him in stressful situations.

The attendants inside the dressing room of Trent Bridge sensed the mood and brought a crate of beer, as India beat England by 203 runs in the third Test in Nottingham.

But they were in for a huge surprise when only some of the support staff helped themselves with the beverage. The attendants had even asked the players for a bottle of champagne. They were told by the Indian players that it was just a Test match win and they will celebrate only if the series is pocketed.

Celebrations from India after the victory was muted

If India had won Tuesday evening instead of needing to coming back the next day, the celebrations would have been more spontaneous.

Even the celebrations following the much-needed victory were more or less muted. The Indian players just shook hands and left the field. Ravi Shastri later went on to reveal in the press conference that India tends to become the best travelling team in the world. However, only time will tell if they manage to achieve the feat.

Ravi Shastri further revealed in the post-match press conference that what message was conveyed to the players after the heavy defeat at Lord’s.

“Clear your heads and show me some accountability,” was his advice to the team before the third Test. “Very little practice, mental rest,” was the message immediately after Lord’s debacle. “Get ugly, look dirty, show grit and determination,” was his call to batsmen. “By a mile. No team comes close,” said Shastri.

He further added the current pace attack India has, is by far the best they ever had in the history of the game.