Sri Lanka Vs India 2017, 3rd Test: The Biggest Positive Would Be Hardik's Inclusion And The Way He Shaped Up In The Series, Says Virat Kohli

It was in Sri Lanka where Team India’s journey started under new captain Virat Kohli in 2015 and two years after that monumental series, it is safe to say that the team has fully transformed into world beater under the 28-year old as Virat Kohli & Co. thrashed Sri Lanka by an innings and 177 runs in the third and final Test on Monday (August 14) to inflict a whitewash on the hosts.

After being asked to follow-on, Sri Lanka never looked in contention to make India bat again and were bowled out for a paltry 181 in the second session of third day’s play. The islanders were asked to follow-on after they were dismissed for just 135 in their first innings in reply to India’s 487. Ravichandran Ashwin starred with the ball in the second innings, picking up 4 wickets while fast-bowler Mohammed Shami picked up 3. Umesh Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav took 2 and 1 wicket respectively.

Delighted with the team’s clinical performance, Kohli said that Hardik Pandya is the biggest positive for the team. The allrounder made his debut in this series and justified his selection by scoring a quickfire century in the third Test.

“Good win for us. Very happy with the overall performance. Always feels nice to have convincing wins, pretty good day for us. The regulars have performed, but the biggest positive would be Hardik’s inclusion and the way he shaped up in these three Test matches. The kind of confidence he showed the with the ball and the maturity with the bat, it really gives us a lot of boost and the balance. The usual suspects are always there and thereabouts. We are a young side, we look forward to play Test cricket, we look forward to play every single Test match with the same kind of excitement and that is the only way you can be ruthless. We like to be prepared before hand and be proactive rather than being reactive. We have age on our side and we have an opportunity to play together for five, six years for the country,” said Kohli at the post-match presentation.

Kohli also had some encouraging words for the Sri Lankan players.

All of them are super talented players (talking about the Sri Lankan team), that is why they are playing for the country. They beat Australia 3-0. Sometimes the side has momentum, sometimes they don’t. It’s all about keeping the belief going and not losing motivation because of a few results. That is what we believe in as a team as well,” he said.