R. Ashwin insists that while India may be disappointed with the outcome of the first Test, there is much to be encouraged by for the rest of the series.
“I thought we competed really well throughout the game. We made two comebacks and probably didn’t close out the game when the initiative was on our side. That’s something that can happen when you are travelling so we are upbeat about it and not feeling deflated,” he said.
The message in the dressing room in the morning, as India set off with 84 more to score, was to rally behind every batsman that walked out.
“I have been on tours since 2011 and that way this team has got a really positive vibe in terms of believing that we can pull it off from any stage. We have in the past managed to pull off some incredible victories. And probably if you have to win a Test series in England, that too a five-Test series, we will have to pull off something special at some stage,” said Ashwin.
Virat Kohli felt India had not played to potential. “The series is set up nicely now. The fact we didn’t play to our potential at all and were still close in the game says everything about us as a side. If we pull ourselves together and even play 80-85% of the cricket we can, then it’s going to be a very exciting and competitive series,” he said in his post-match radio interview.
It was a good Test match to be part of, Kohli felt. “Both afternoon sessions on day two and three were see-saw battles,” he said. “We thought on day two lunchtime that we’re in the game and then we came close and then England thought they were out of the game and then came back. That’s why this was such a good Test match to be part of.”