On the eve of the fifth and final Test at Chennai, Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli hailed the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav for their brilliant all-round effort, particularly with the bat which has been key ingredient during the ongoing five-match Test series against England.
“Their (Ashwin, Jadeja, Jayant) contribution with the bat has been outstanding. Hasn’t taken much from me at all to motivate them. I think Ashwin has set a benchmark for other spinners to contribute with the bat. Jadeja has come of age with the bat in this series. We remember his crucial knock in Mohali,” Kohli said.
In terms of winning contribution as a team, Kohli further elaborated on the batting skills of his premier spinner Ashwin and other two spinners which include Jadeja and off-spinner Jayant, who showed tremendous skills while batting in Wankhede in the fourth Test.
The 26-year-old all-rounder Jayant became the first Indian No. 9 batsman to score a century when he hit his maiden century at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium.
“Jayant as well, he gets inspired seeing Ashwin the way he improves his cricket every time, Jayant always has been a keen learner and he works on his batting also,” Kohli added.
Kohli, who is in his form of life, wants to focus on the fifth Test to give hundred percent and continue the winning streak – to finish the year at high.
“We just take one game at a time, I don’t think we are looking at the collective series as 4-0. The intensity to win a Test match remains the same, whether we have won the series or we have not won the series or it is drawn. We just want to continue what we have been doing,” Kohli remarked.
With lower order providing some momentum with the bat, Kohli acknowledged their effort which also gives them the handy option to make use of an extra bowler in the side.
“All the bowlers have done well with the bat. As a captain, it gives you more freedom to play five batsmen rather than thinking of playing an extra batsman. Where your bowlers contribute 100-120 runs every game, it’s as good as playing another batsman and it gives you the freedom to play another bowler,” Kohli concluded.