India might have clinched a record 11th straight series win on home soil but skipper Virat Kohli has vowed not to take the foot off the pedal when they take on South Africa in the third and final Test.
The hosts proved to be too good for South Africa on Day Four of the Pune Test with the visitors falling to a mammoth defeat by an innings and 137 runs.
Having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, Kohli is looking to make it a 3-0 clean sweep with one eye on the ICC World Test Championship.
“It’s been nice, but looking at the larger picture, the Test Championship, every game has even more value,” the India skipper stated after the big win.
“We’re not going to take the foot off the gas in the third Test, we’re looking for a result again, and hopefully make it 3-0.
“Because these points are important, we understand that, with the Test Championship it’s going to be very crucial, at all the stages, when we play away from home as well. And no one’s going to relax at any stage, that’s a guarantee.”
That will be it. #TeamIndia win the 2nd Test by an innings & 137 runs. 2-0 🇮🇳🇮🇳 #INDvSA @Paytm pic.twitter.com/pt3PPffdQt
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 13, 2019
Kohli himself earned the man-of-the-match award after his stellar unbeaten knock of 254 which helped the hosts post a match-winning first innings total of 601-5. It was a record seventh double-ton for the India man but he has made it clear that landmarks are secondary to the team’s cause.
“I think I am at a stage in my career where I’m just happy to be playing the way I am and contributing for my team,” he said.
“And, for me, crossing 150 or crossing 200 is not the most important thing. And that’s why those muted celebrations, I think putting the team in a commanding position is the only goal and that’s the only thing I strive for.
“Not saying that I don’t enjoy scoring runs, I obviously enjoy scoring runs, but if they come in a winning cause, that’s the most important thing.”
It was Kohli’s 30th victory as India Test captain in his 50th match in-charge and his win-rate (60 per cent) is now only behind Australia’s Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting after the same number of games.
