Kohli congratulates India after hosts clinch England Test series

The ace batter praised India’s young team that played in the series, saying it showed ‘grit, determination and resilience’.

• Shubham
• 26 February, 2024

By: Shubham Ghosh

INDIA batter Virat Kohli, who has skipped the current Test series against England at home due to the birth of his second child with actor-producer wife Anushka Sharma in London, on Monday (26) congratulated his country after they wrapped up the five-match series 3-1 in the fourth Test in Ranchi with one game to go.

The hosts battled on against an England side that looked favourites for most part of the game held at JSCA International Stadium Complex and eventually won the match by five wickets to take the unassailable lead.

Kohli, who announced last week the arrival of his son Akaay, posted a message on X saying, “YES!!! Phenomenal series win by our young team. Showed grit, determination and resilience. @BCCI.”

Read: Jurel shines again as India beat England in 4th Test to pocket series

YES!!! ??
Phenomenal series win by our young team. Showed grit, determination and resilience.@BCCI

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) February 26, 2024

The 35-year-old batter had initially skipped the first two Tests but later decided to give the entire series a miss. However, with his child having arrived now, the former captain might be seen in the fifth and the final match to be held in Dharamsala from March 7.

Read: Akash Deep, India’s debutant bowler with 3 top England wickets, had to leave cricket once to run family

India fought on after being reduced to 177 for 7 in response to England’s 353 in the first innings with wicket-keeper-batter Dhruv Jurel playing a precious knock of 90. Along with tail-ender Kuldeep Singh (28), he helped India reach 306, reducing the deficit to 47.

In the second innings, too, India were in trouble losing five wickets for 120 runs after a solid start from the openers — Rohit Sharma (55) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (37). It was Jurel again who came in as the saviour and remained unbeaten on 39, adding 72 crucial runs with Shubman Gill who remained unbeaten on 52.

The win meant India have now secured 17 consecutive Test series victory on their home turf.

The last time India lost a Test series at home was against England in 2012-13 when Alastair Cook was the visiting captain. Since then, they have won 39 out of 50 Tests at home.

For England captain Ben Stokes, this was his first defeat as the captain in a Test series.