Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has warned South Africa that his team will not be ahead in the series and will try to clean sweep by winning the third and final Test match in Ranchi.
India beat South Africa by an innings and 137 runs in the second Test to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Kohli said after the match, “Every match has become important after considering the Test Championship whether it is at home or abroad. Such is the format. Therefore, we will not make any laxity in the third Test match.”
He said, “No one will give laxity at any time. We will also go on to win the third Test and hopefully win the series 3–0.”
Regarding the 178-run partnership for the fourth wicket with vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, Kohli said, “I really enjoy batting with Jinks (Rahane).” When we play a partnership, we take the match forward.”
He said, “You should be ready to face the new ball in the morning. We played well when conditions were difficult. Whenever I did wrong he told me and that’s how I kept telling him.”
Kohli said of Wriddhiman Saha, “He was a bit nervous when he returned to Visakhapatnam but in this match he did a great wicketkeeping. Ashwin also made a great comeback.”
He said, “When we started as a team, our Test ranking was seven. The only way forward was with us. We decided a few things and asked everyone to work hard and practice. We are lucky that we have a good group of players for the last three to four years. It is good to see hunger and passion for continuous improvement among all the players.”
The last match of the series will be played at Ranchi with rumors that Mahindra Singh Dhoni might be in the stands to watch the match.