Ravichandran Ashwin is World's Best Spinner Right Now: Virat Kohli

India beat South Africa by 124 runs in the third Test at Nagpur to clinch the four-Test series 2-0. Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra starred for the hosts as they spun a web around the visiting batsmen on Day 3 of the Test on Friday. (Scoreboard | Highlights)

An ecstatic Indian captain, Virat Kohli was all praise for Ashwin, who took his tally of wickets this year to 55 in eight Tests at an average of 17.81. (Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra Spin India to Series Win vs South Africa in Nagpur)

The Tamil Nadu off-spinner took seven wickets in the second innings to end with match figures of 12 for 98. This was the 15th time, Ashwin has taken five or more wickets in a Test match. He currently leads the series charts with 24 scalps. (Talks About the Pitches Are Getting Out of Hand, Says Ravichandran Ashwin)

"Ashwin has been special. He is a world class spinner, the world's best right now and is responsible for back-to-back Test series wins for India," said Kohli in the post-match presentation ceremony. Ashwin was the architect of India's victory in Sri Lanka with 21 wickets.

"Very pleasing to beat a tough team like South Africa. The guys have shown character. Winning the Test series after losing the ODIs and T20 was pleasing," said Kohli.

Kohli, who won first home series as skipper, also credited Amit Mishra, who bagged three for 51 in the second innings, for turning the match around when it seemed South African captain Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis might just take the game away from India.

"Amit showed great character to dismiss Amla and du plessis. After a tough morning session, I feel that was the turning point of the match."

Amla Disappointed

Meanwhile, a dejected South African skipper praised his team for refusing to give up right till the very end.

"It is very disappointing. It was a tough match but the way the guys fought was admirable. We tried to dig deep for as long as we could," said Amla, who has failed to live up to expectations so far in the series.

The debate about the difficult nature of the pitch has raged on throughout the match after another three-day finish, but skipper Kohli refused to be roped in. (India vs South Africa: Sunil Gavaskar Hits Back at Indian Pitch Critics)

"It was a tough wicket but it's all about the application. Our batsmen have shown character throughout the series.

"Mental blocks and bad shots have cost the teams and not the wicket. Yes, it was a challenging and bowler-friendly wicket but the batsmen can't have it their way all the time," opined Kohli.