Shastri gives credit to Kohli after Gabba win
Jannatul PiealCorrespondent
Posted - 2021-01-19T18:59:03+06:00
Updated - 2021-01-19T18:59:03+06:00
Even though Virat Kohli missed the last three matches of the just concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India coach Ravi Shastri has credited the regular India captain for his side's self-belief and character throughout the series.
India beat the Aussies by three wickets on Tuesday (January 19) in the fourth and final Test, breaching the Fortress Gabba after 32 years and 2 months to register a magnificent 2-1 series win.
Kohli, however, was not part of the playing XI, as he had returned home following the first Test in which India suffered a humiliating loss at Adelaide to attend the birth of his first child.
"You must give credit to Virat Kohli. He may not be here. He has gone back home. But his character, his personality is there for everyone to see in this team. For Ajinkya to take over the way he did was simply unreal," said Ravi Shastri.
"We were left with no choices, had no one left in the squad when the final Test started. India beat
in Australia last time but there was not a single bowler from that tour playing in this last game. It was important to keep the self-belief going," he added.
The India coach also claimed that this was the toughest ever tour for Team India. ""This is the toughest tour ever. We are playing in Covid and quarantine times with multiple injuries. So nothing comes close to this or surpasses this," said Shastri after India beat Australia at The Gabba to pick up their second successive Test series win Down Under.
Earlier Kohli had led India to their first-ever series win in Australia back in 2018-19.
With the latest win, India have displaced Australia to become the second placed Test team in the world. They are also sitting at the top of the ICC World Test Championship (2019-2021). They will have their next Test assignment at their own backyard against
.