Virat Kohli was satisfied with India’s 137-run win over Australia in Melbourne, but he was neither shocked with the result nor surprised.

As Australia resumed the fifth and final day on 258 for eight, India wrapped things up pretty quickly allowing the hosts to add just three more runs to the total.

Speaking at the post-match media conference, the India captain doffed his hat to his bowlers for their tireless effort.

Excerpts

On the victory

We are very happy. We will take the trophy back home regardless of what happens in the last Test. Although our aim is to win the series here, which is what we came here thinking, and that hasn’t changed. But it is important to realise this moment and it is important to understand how much hard work we have put in to reach this scoreline. We have to appreciate that as a whole team. But we always knew we can do this. So although we are very happy, we are not shocked or surprised by what has happened. We have always believed that it is very possible because of the talent we have in the side and the mindset that we have been carrying in the last 12 months. Our mindset never shifted once, so I think the best thing about this win was that we bounced back (after defeat in Perth). Like we bounced back once in England and bounced back once in South Africa. Mentally, that takes more out of you. That’s why this victory is more special to the bowlers, because they have been so tired, they bowled so many overs and even in this game they had to put in more effort because of the nature of the pitch. An outstanding effort, hats off to them. That’s all I can say.

On the feelings on actually winning the Test and not just talking about it

We don’t want to just talk and just win one game and be like, ‘oh we played so well in Australia’. It’s all about the team. Even Jasprit Bumrah’s team interview post game was all about, ‘how can I contribute to the team’. That fact that he didn’t get any wickets in Perth and the way he bowled there, he didn’t lose heart, he knew wickets are going to come at some stage. And if you see the other bowlers, they are not trying to outdo someone else. If Bumrah is taking wickets, they are containing runs. It is a team effort at the end of the day. When it comes together nicely, when it gets you results, it feels wonderful. You don’t play to just play well, you play to win. So it feels good to have those results go our way.

On the focus of the team on winning Tests overseas

Yes, I forgot to add one thing — not to listen to people too much. That’s very important. If you want to win a series away from home, it has to be an obsession. And once you are obsessed, changing your decisions according to opinions is not an option at all. Instinctively, you have a gut feeling of playing a shot or bowling a particular ball. And inside, if you feel good about doing something in a particular Test match, you should just follow that. You can’t change for someone else. I think that’s been the most important factor for us. That we haven’t changed our mindset regardless of who said what, and at the end of the day, your belief is what matters. Because you are out there competing.

On the opportunity to win the series

It’s a great opportunity from the point of view that we have always wanted to win a series away from home. The fact is that the boys have realised that they have worked so hard to be here now and there is no looking back. You have to give everything you have to win a series. That was our goal from Day I. That goal has not changed at all. There are definitely factors and incentives attached to this particular series, but we are not focusing on that because our job is to go out there and get results, and the next Test is going to be another opportunity to win a match for Team India. We are all looking forward to that.

On Cheteshwar Pujara

He has been a lot more flexible in altering his game very quickly… From the last time he played in Australia, he has made a few changes to his set-up, and that’s working for him. He is embracing the fact that if something has been told to him and he has to work on those things, he has worked on it. And now we have the bowling attack that we can rely on to get us 20 wickets and so his role becomes even more crucial. If he can bat time and hold one end, and all the other batsmen can bat positively around him, we get 350-400 in conditions like in Australia, which puts us in a great position to get a result. He realises that even more now.

On new openers Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari

Mayank’s composure, his intent and belief, it was a huge boost for us. Because of the way he batted at top of the order on first day, it has to be praised because it is not easy to come to Australia and start like that, and starting against such a bowling attack! He should also get a lot of credit for the win.

And you might not think of Vihari’s contribution as being significant to this game, but if you look at the fact that he played out 15 overs of the new-ball with Mayank in the first innings, it allowed Pujara and me to bat, and bat, and bat. I mean we were not walking in under pressure, we were walking in thinking that we can build a partnership. Even though he scored less runs, the fact that Vihari played out the new ball and played his role perfectly, meant that we could do what we did in the first innings. And we as a team realise that. He was confident about doing the job for the team.

On whether Ravichandran Ashwin is fit and if he would play the Sydney Test

It depends on the nature of the pitch. I think Ashwin’s very close to being match-fit. He’s been bowling a lot of overs and I’m sure these next four days will make him even stronger. So regardless it being the last Test match, he will be willing to push himself and start for the team.