India captain Virat Kohli said that the philosophy of the current team is that when someone like a Murali Vijay or Ajinkya Rahane go through a rough patch, the others taken it upon themselves to compensate for their mates.
Both Vijay (192 runs from 6 innings) and Rahane (63 from 5 innings) have struggled a lot during the current series but just like coach Anil Kumble, the Test skipper also made it clear that he is going to back his players firmly.
"Ajinkya and Vijay are both solid payers. Vijay got a hundred in the first innings of the series (at Rajkot). (When) I did not have any scores to be proud of during the New Zealand series, Ajinkya was stepping in. It's all about covering for another guy, who is probably not getting runs and that's what team sport is all about," Kohli made it clear about what he thought on team ethos.
"We don't believe in picking out individuals that this one is not playing well and this one is playing extraordinarily well. We compensate for someone who does not get runs and that is how we go ahead and pick up your teammates. That has been our aim," he added.
Kohli complimented the lower-order batsmen for contributing to the Indian totals in this series.
"lower-order contributions obviously help big time," he said.
Kohli was also excited about newcomer Jayant Yadav who has not only bowled his off-spinners well, but has also chipped in with the bat lower down the order.
"I have been very impressed (with Jayant Yadav) who, as you said, is only two games old. You can call him an all-rounder now. I haven't had to tell him anything. He sets his own field, he knows exactly where he wants to bowl.
"Sometimes I ask mid-on to be back, he urges me to keep it up, he wants the batsmen to go after him. So he is pretty confident of his skill, it is very evident and it can come only with professionalism.
"Jayant practices his skills very well, he is fit, he understands his game, he is an intelligent guy, so great package for Team India. In years to come, you will see a lot more match winning performances from him, because he has got all the skills needed to be a very good Test player," said Kohli.
‘Gap benefitted us’
India skipper Virat Kohli welcomed week-long break between third and fourth Test which he feels benefitted the squad but also made it clear that the foot is firmly on the pedal as they are inching towards a much deserved series victory.
"We did not ask for the gap. It was part of the schedule, so we make sure when we go there (England) that we have eight days' gap after three Tests, and a 25-day gap between One- Day and Test series," said Kohli, when asked about the mid-series break.
"With a long season ahead, it (break) did us no harm. It actually helped us rest a bit, reflect on what we have done in the two games that we have won and just visualise again and come back even more fresh compared to last two Test matches. It was good thing that happened and we certainly benefitted from it."