Benguluru Test win by far the 'sweetest', says Virat Kohli

Bengaluru: Indian skipper Virat Kohli has said that the Bengaluru Test victory against Australia was by far the sweetest victory for him and his team.

India on Tuesday put in a splendid bowling performance defending a low total of 188 in the second Test of the four match series against Australia, defeating them by 75 runs after conceding a 87-run first innings lead and levelled the four-match series 1-1.

"Till now, this is the best one. I don't want to say too much the game panned out the way it did and there's not much left to say. It was quite an emotional game for us and draining as well. Everyone got along together, we showed the team spirit. Lot of people were talking about head of the snake but I think the snake did pretty well by itself," Kohli said in the post-match press conference.

"So, it is not just about one individual. I am pretty happy if they keep focusing on the head of the snake and the snake can sting from a lot of directions. So, some people need to keep that in mind. But by far, it is the sweetest victory for us," he added.

Local boy KL Rahul was adjudged man-of-the-match for his knocks of 90 and 51 in the match.

"But this victory would be the best victory for the young Team India. The way we performed was a proud moment for us. I have played my cricket in Bangalore," Rahul had said in conversation with Ravi Shastri in the post-match presentation ceremony.

He also highlighted the need to win this match under any circumstance, thus keeping the series alive.

"Absolutely, no better place for me to come and perform like I did. Especially, when team India needed it after being down in the first Test. That loss really hit us hard. We have achieved a lot in the last couple of years, he said.

Chasing a target of 188-run, the Steve Smith-led side were bowled out for 112 in the last session of the day.

Australian batsman struggled against India's spin attack as, besides Smith (28) and Peter Handscomb (24), none of the other batters were able to contribute much in their side's second innings.

Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers for India as he finished with the second inning figures of six for 41. Umesh Yadav bagged two wickets while Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with a wicket each.

Earlier, resuming at yesterday's score of 213-4, first drop Cheteshwar Pujara (92) and Ajinkya Rahane (52) displayed calm and composed performance as the duo stitched a 118-run partnership for the fifth wicket to keep the scoreboard ticking.

However, as Australian pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood wrecked havoc on the Indian batters after Smith took the second new ball. In a matter of three overs, the hosts lost four wickets and were put on the backfoot.

Following the dismissal of Pujara and Rahane, India failed to build any more partnerships and were eventually bundled out for 276 runs, thus setting a 188-run target for the visitors.

With the series leveled at 1-1, the two sides will now look to take the lead when they meet for the third Test starting March 16 in Ranchi.