India completed an unlikely win at Chennai as inspired by an enigmatic bowling spell from Ravindra Jadeja; the hosts defeated England by an innings and 75 runs. This loss for Alastair Cook’s men will be a bitter pill to swallow as it comes after they scored 477 in their first innings. This is the biggest total after which a team has been defeated by an innings.
Jadeja was on the money as he spun a web around the tired and hopeless English batsman. None of the England batsmen looked up for a fight as the Saurashtra all-rounder bagged a career best seven-wicket haul.
Post victory, several Indian personnel spoke to Ravi Shastri at Chepauk, and below are the quotes.
Ravichandran Ashwin: “It was a challenging track o bowl on, I thought he did really well to vary his pace. We wanted to be very aggressive, come out and knock a couple over. The heartening fact was everyone in the series was in the game. They put their hand up, Ishant, Umesh got crucial wickets. Jaddu hardly gives anything away, which gives me freedom to give it a bit more air and vary the pace.”
KL Rahul: “Not easy, been a tough road for me, coming in and out, not easy being injured. But I was really humbled to go out there and get some runs, then I wanted to get as many as I can. [Missing 200?] It will take some time to leave me but hopefully I will learn from my mistakes and get better and better. It was turning off the rough and the slower the spinners bowled the more it bounced. The fast bowlers created pressure and the rough, which Ashwin knew would come in handy.”
Anil Kumble: “Karun helped us get to 280 and that gave us an opportunity. We all knew about his ability, we were disappointed with the first couple of knocks he had, but as soon as he got going he showed what he is capable of. He’s a long-term prospect, in his third match to score a triple-hundred is fantastic. Everyone has come in and contributed and we have won on fantastic wickets, despite losing the toss.”
Ravindra Jadeja: “I am very happy that there was no such help from the wicket but we still did well. Me and Ashwin were bowling in right areas. It was a good experience bowling on a flat wicket and I picked up a fifer. I am very happy. I felt nice. Whenever the team needed wickets, someone chipped in. It is always pleasing to bowl in partnerships. Mishy bhai, Yadav also played their part during the series. It feels nice to get the number 1 batsman so many times. It helps you gain your confidence. I am very pleased as well I have been working hard on my bowling.”