Here's what Virat Kohli said after receiving ICC Test Championship Mace

Cape Town: Virat Kohli got a chance, second year running, to lay hands on the ICC Test Championship Mace after India beat South Africa in the third and final Twenty20 to win the three-match series in Cape Town on Saturday. India, following their win in the third Test against Faf du Plessis and co in Johannesburg, denied other teams a chance to topple them at the top of the Test rankings at the cut-off date April. With the number one finish, India also secured a prize of 1 million US dollars.

Kohli, who could not play the final game of the tour, received the Mace from Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Pollock.

“It’s truly a great feeling to hold the ICC Test Championship mace again, which is an acknowledgement of our success in the truest format of the game,” said Kohli.

“We’re proud of the way we have performed in Test matches over the past couple of years and our performances have reflected in the rankings. The quality of a side is judged in the way players step up when needed, and that is what our boys have done time and again,” added the Indian cricket team skipper.

“It is heartening to be at the top of the Test rankings in an era when it’s challenging to do consistently well across formats. But that is something that we have managed fairly well and something that I’d like my team to continue doing with their hard work and determination,” Kohli continued.

“I’d like to thank all players who have been part of our squads during this period and also the support staff for contributing to our success and for helping out in different aspects of the game. I’d also like to thank all our fans for supporting us across the globe,” he concluded.