Kohli Sets Sights On 'One Big Game' To Win World Test Championship

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 l

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

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 twice bounced back from opening losses in four-match series to beat Australia 2-1 and England 3-1, with each game throwing up new heroes, notably wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.

The left-handed Pant, who played a key part in the win Down Under in January, hit 101 on Friday to set up India's latest victory by an innings and 25 runs.

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.