Virat Kohli Seals First Win as Captain, Says Youth Power Making Difference

Virat Kohli set the benchmark for his young team soon after India scored a series-levelling 278-run win against Sri Lanka at Colombo's P Sara Oval on Monday. It was Kohli' s first Test win as India captain after standing in for Mahendra Singh Dhoni during the series in Australia in 2014-15. It was also India's first Test win in more than a year.(Match Report | Scorecard | Highlights)

"(We) came close twice before... Once in Adelaide, once in Galle. We played really good cricket in both those Tests; if we had done it for one more session... Commendable effort to regroup so soon and putting up this show," Kohli said in a post-match chat TV, emphasing how Test cricket can be lost by poor cricket in a single session.(Ashwin Credits 'Stability')

Kohli also emphasized how youth energy has pumped up the team in Colombo. Kohli pointed out how Lokesh Rahul, who keep wickets in the absence of an injured Wriddhiman Saha, took a "blinder" to set up India's path to victory. It was the crucial wicket of Lankan captain Angelo Mathews as Rahul dived to hold on to an edge off Umesh Yadav's bowling.(Kohli Salutes Sangakkara)

The young Indian captain, known for his aggressive mannerisms, said how it was important to convert "half-chances" to win Test matches. Ravichandran Ashwin's match haul of seven wickets in the second Test was largely due to India's good close catching and Kohli said that was the way forward.

"Close catching important. Taking half-chances makes the difference and this is one aspect we have worked hard as a team," Kohli said.

Kohli's frequent bowling changes may not have pleased the purists but nothing succeeds like success. Eschewing long spells for his four strike bowlers, Kohli made quick changes to look for breakthroughs.

"We were pumped up to take wickets and didn't want to waste time. The bowlers were not desperate to get wickets. In the first innings you have to applaud Stuart (Binny) because on that pitch he bowled great control to keep my other bowlers fresh," Kohli explained.

Sunil Gavaskar praised Kohli's tactics. "Seven wickets is a session has been top class. Virat controlled the flow of the game," Gavaskar said.