Virat Kohli’s India are made of sterner stuff

Between June 2011 (in Kingston, Jamaica) and September 2015, India had lost 15 overseas Test matches. (Source: Reuters)

At last, the hoodoo was broken. The sixth wicket partnership between Angelo Mathews and Kusal Perera had hung in there for 38 overs and one ball. SSC had suddenly started to remind us of Johannesburg and Wellington – India’s big bungles not many moons ago. But Virat Kohli’s India are made of sterner stuff.

Test series wins on the road have been the rarest of rare occurrences for India. This one came after a gap of four years. Between June 2011 (in Kingston, Jamaica) and September 2015, India had lost 15 overseas Test matches. Success is sweeter after a long road to redemption.

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For the first time in 22 years, India won a Test series in Sri Lanka. Without the second innings meltdown at Galle, they would have completed a whitewash. The loss in the first Test was demoralising. The turnaround that followed was commendable. The whole team stood up to be counted. This achievement should be credited to team effort.

Everyone contributed. Shikhar Dhawan scored a century in the only Test he played. Murali Vijay made a fighting 82 with an injured hamstring in the second innings at P Sara Oval. Ajinkya Rahane brilliantly adjusted to his promotion at No. 3, scoring a match-winning 126 in the second innings.

KL Rahul had set it up with a gritty 108 in the first. Kohli had started off with a century at Galle and then supported Rahul well as India squared the series. Rohit Sharma, given a long rope, finally justified his selection at No. 5 with a couple of important half-tons. Wriddhiman Saha, too, scored two half-centuries before he was hamstrung. His replacement Naman Ojha offered assurance, looking solid as a batsman and ending up with five dismissals on debut. And then there was Cheteshwar Pujara. Recalled after eight months, he became the fourth Indian to carry his bat. His splendid 145 not out in difficult conditions deservedly gave him the Man of the Match award.

As for bowling, Ravi Ashwin was excellent, finishing with 21 wickets at 18.09 in three Tests. Amit Mishra, back to the fold after four years, bagged 15 scalps at 15.00 and batted very well down the order. Ishant Sharma rode on high emotions and made the ball talk in the final Test. Umesh Yadav chipped in with important breakthroughs. Even Stuart Binny, a surprise call-up after the first Test, showed discipline.

Unlike his predecessor, Kohli plays to win. He has shown intent ever since he took charge at the Adelaide Oval last winter. India lost the match by 48 runs but the way they chased 364 in the fourth innings won many hearts. Kohli was the acting captain then. It is his team now and he’s rubbing off his aggression on his team mates. With time he will learn to mix caution with aggression but the new leader has brought in a refreshing change after a period of exaggerated reactivity.

Spare a thought for Sri Lanka. Without Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, they’re now entering a period of transition. Mathews leads by example but he needs support from his colleagues. Perera’s resolve was one of the positives for the hosts in this Test.