Virat Kohli sets sights on 'one big game' to win World Test Championship

India to face New Zealand at Lord's in June

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  India's captain Virat Kohli, centre, congratulates Ravichandran Ashwin, right, after dismissing England's Zak Crawley during the third day of fourth Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, March 6, 2021. India won the Test by by an innings and 25 runs and the series 3-1. AP

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  Ravichandran Ashwin picked up five wickets in England's second innings in the fourth Test in Ahmedabad. Getty

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  India's Axar Patel, right, celebrates with captain Virat Kohli after the dismissal of England's Ben Stokes. AP

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  India's Axar Patel picked up five wickets in the second innings of the Ahmedabad Test against England. AFP

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  England's Dan Lawrence put up a brave fight, scoring a fifty in the second innings on Saturday. AFP

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  India's Washington Sundar raises his bat as he walks off the field after remaining unbeaten on 96 during the third day of fourth Test. AP

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  Washington Sundar, right, and Axar Patel added 106 runs. AP

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  India's Washington Sundar missed out on a deserved century. Reuters

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  Axar Patel scored 43 batting at number nine. Getty

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  Team physiotherapist checks out India's Mohammed Siraj, left, after he got hurt while fielding on Saturday. AP

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  England's Ben Stokes was rewarded for his hard work as he finished with four wickets. Reuters

Captain Virat Kohli said India were "relieved" to make the inaugural World Test Championship final and would now focus on that "one big game" against New Zealand in June after seeing off England.

India crushed Joe Root's side inside three days in the fourth Test in Ahmedabad on Saturday to clinch the series 3-1 and finish top of the Test Championship table ahead of New Zealand.

India had led the standings until November, when a change in the points system because of coronavirus disruptions promoted Australia to top spot.

"We are relieved that now we have made it to the final," Kohli told BCCI TV.

"Probably if you look at the last two-and-half years how we have played, we deserve to be in that final.

"Now it's just about getting together as a group again and focusing on that one big game which is quite exciting for all of us."

New Zealand's spot in the final was secured when the Test series between South Africa and Australia was postponed last month.

India coach Ravi Shastri questioned the decision of the International Cricket Council to change the points system midway into the Test Championship.

The new method, based on percentage of points instead of total points, left India needing to win the Test series away in Australia and the one at home against England to make the final.

"Please don't shift the goalposts midstream," Shastri told reporters when asked about the next World Test Championship, describing the points system change as abrupt.

But he added: "I cannot say how proud I am of my Indian cricket team. Going through this tough period and qualifying against all odds when you go from number one to number three."

Kohli had maintained that the championship race was merely a "distraction" for his team, who did not need any further incentive to win Test matches.

India made the final after bouncing back from opening losses in two series - winning 2-1 Down Under and beating England 3-1 at home.

The games threw up new heroes, most notably wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who played a key part in the Australia series, and hit 101 on Friday to set up India's latest victory over England.

Pace bowler Mohammed Siraj, all-rounder Washington Sundar and spinner Axar Patel also burst into the side, making an immediate impact.

India overcame adversity, including being bundled out for a Test low of 36 to lose the series opener in Adelaide, the departure of Virat Kohli on paternity leave and a succession of injuries to senior players, to level the series in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

A draw in Sydney followed before a patched-up India inflicted an astonishing first Test defeat on Australia at Brisbane's Gabba ground for 32 years to win the series.

"We played cricket well in India, we played cricket well outside India as well," said batting star Rohit Sharma.

"We were put under pressure, we were put in that difficult situation many a time and we responded well which is why we stand here qualified for the final."

The ICC had initially announced that the final will be played at Lord's in June.

But the Times of India, citing ICC sources, reported Saturday that match scheduled to begin June 18 could be moved to a different venue.