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We made India work very hard in Vizag, says Alastair Cook

Virat Kohli-led India won the Vizag Test by 246 runs to lead the five-match Test series 1-0.

Visakhapatnam: England, who displayed a resilience on day four of the second Test after India set up a daunting 405-run target, crumbled after Indian bowlers ran through the visitors’ batting-line-up to win in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

The win in country’s newest Test venue also helped India lead the five-match Test series 1-0 with three matches to go.

England skipper Alastair Cook, who fell in the final over on day four after keeping Indian bowlers at bay for 221 balls, reflected on his team’s defeat saying: "It wasn't a great moment to fight so hard (and then get out in the last over) so (it) was disappointing to get out at the end.”

India made the most of their decision of electing to bat on the Vizag track that helped the batsmen a great deal on the first couple of days.

Although India lost openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul cheaply on day one, hundreds from Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli laid a solid foundation to India’s 455-run total.

Cook highlighted the fact that winning the toss was crucial for India. England’s highest run-getter in Test cricketer also praised England for putting up a good fight despite failing to score big in the first innings.

“Think we saw the first day was easiest to bat, then you can see it became harder. It was a good toss to win, no doubt. From losing those five wickets on day two - you have to score first-innings runs - but from that moment we showed a lot of character and fight. We made India work very hard,” said Cook.

Although England put up a brilliant show to deny India a win in the opening Test in Rajkot, they could not repeat the same feat in Visakhapatnam. However, Cook preferred to look at the brighter aspects of his side without forgetting that England will need to win a couple of games in order to make a comeback in the series.

“We played some good cricket at stages in these first two games. We need to win a couple of games to get ourselves back in the series," concluded Cook.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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