Colombo: Quite relieved after winning the second Test against Sri Lanka by a comprehensive 278 runs, Indian skipper Virat Kohli said it was a commendable effort from his teammates to regroup so soon and put up a winning show to make it 1-1 in the three-match Test series.

“We had come close twice before, once in Adelaide, once in Galle. We played really good cricket in both those Tests but it was a matter one more good session. It was a commendable effort to regroup so soon and put up this show after the loss in first Test,” said the skipper, praising KL Rahul for taking up the gloves in absence of injured Saha and grabbing a blinder on the very first ball. 

“That is an example of how everybody chipped in. Everyone apart from Stuart bowled today. As I said, once we took those early wickets, we wanted to bowl attacking lines and didn't want to lose time. In the first innings, you have to applaud Stuart because on that pitch he bowled with great control to keep my other bowlers fresh,” said Kohli. 

Congratulating Kumar Sangakarra on his wonderful career, the Indian captain said, “I have spoken a lot about him, everyone has, in the last week. But I can't help saying it again that it has been an absolute pleasure playing with you.”

Meanwhile, Rahul, who was Man of the Match, said, “I was a wicketkeeper till under-19. Thereafter, I didn't get chance to keep. I enjoy it. I am pretty happy that I took a good catch first ball." 

He said that he happy to get two hundreds in four matches. “However there is a lot to learn. I go more confident into the next Test. It’s just a happy feeling, firstly to get called up to play for the national team, and then to score two hundreds in four games.”

Sri Lankan captain, however, was disappointed with the loss. “I am pretty disappointed with the way things went. We didn't play our best cricket. I am more disappointed about not winning it for Sanga. We promised him we would play our best cricket, but we didn't.”