All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja bagged his ninth five-wicket haul in Tests as India crush Sri Lanka by an innings and 53 runs in Colombo to take an unassailable 2-0 lead against Sri Lanka with a match to be played. After a shambolic batting performance in the first innings, Sri Lanka put up their best batting show in the series so far in their second innings at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC). However, they were bowled-out for 386 despite twin centuries from opener Dimuth Karunaratne (141) and batsman Kusal Mendis (110) and handed over the visitors another comprehensive victory.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Kohli admitted that the hosts came out with a brilliant batting performance in the second innings, adding that it was good for the team.
"You have to give credit to the batters as well to play like that on a pitch like that. It was high-quality batting and you expect that to happen at the Test level. We just hope as a team that we have to embrace this all sessions that we are going to play won't go our way," said Kohli.
"We tried our best whatever we could but they were too good yesterday for sure."
The Indian skipper also heaped praise on his bowlers, saying, "Our bowlers did an outstanding job today off pulling things back and keeping it simple and that's what happens in Test cricket, sessions go away from you and then you have to pull it back to win a Test match."
Jadeja, the no. 1 ranked bowler and all-rounder in the world, was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he scalped yet another five-wicket ball. He was well supported by Ravichandran Ashwin (2/132), Hardik Pandya (2/31). Umesh Yadav also chipped in with a wicket.
Jadeja has been adjudged Man of the Match for his match figures of 7/236 in 61 overs apart from unbeaten 70 with the bat in the first innings.
India have now won back-to-back Test series' in the island nation, having clinched the previous edition in 2015 2-1. It was also the eighth consecutive series win for Kohli.
"I think it was very good for us, from a team's point of view that we were up against a challenge in the last four sessions that we played yesterday and today. And we managed to turn things around. You always feel good as a team when you have to comeback with a difficult situation and win the Test match," said Kohli.
Earlier in the game, India continued their dominance over the host on the first two days of the second Test after registering a historic win at Galle.
He added that although the series is already lost, his team will now focus on trying to win the third test because of a win against the No. The 1-ranked side would provide a major confidence boost. Cheteshwar Pujara (133), Rahane (132), Wriddhiman Saha (67), Lokesh Rahul (57) and Ashwin (54) contributed to India's large total in first innings.
The third and final test will begin in Pallekele on Aug. 12.
(With Agency Inputs)
