India vs England | Virat Kohli asserts century partnership with Rahane kept India in hunt
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After losing the fourth Test of the ongoing series in England, Virat Kohli believes that India was very much in the run chase with thanks to the 101-run stand between him and Ajinkya Rahane. The Indian skipper also termed the Englishmen's "bravery" in tough situations as a gamechanger.
The hosts won the fourth Test by 60 runs to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match Test series. India found themselves in a great position after taking a 27 run lead in the first innings and restricted the hosts to a score of 273 in the second which handed them a target of 245 with almost two days of play remaining.
However, India got off to a disastrous start with the top three making their way back to the hut with just 22 runs on the board. India, though, fought back thanks to the efforts of their captain and vice-captain, who were involved in a century partnership that swung the game back into India's hands. But once the partnership was broken, the result seemed to have a sense of inevitability about it as the rest of the team added just 61 runs.
"We never thought like that (of an impending collapse). Usually, with a big partnership, you're always in the chase. But we were always under the pump. The pressure was non-stop. I thought about my dismissal as well in the first innings if I had carried on we would've got a larger lead. Nothing to take away from Pujara. He played so well to get us that lead," Kohli said while talking about the game in the
"They were braver in tough situations than us. Those contributions from lower-order have been significant."
Kohli also lauded the efforts of the Englishmen for putting up a tough target of 245 runs for visitors to chase down in the fourth innings. He was of the opinion that the Indians have played well and it has been a competitive series so far.
"I thought England did well to give us that target. They batted well in third innings. Seeing how the pitch was, how the ball was turning, they applied themselves. Don't think we made too many mistakes today but credit to them.
"Joe (Root) was saying, it might not look like it but it has been a competitive series. We will not throw in the towel, we will come out with the same intensity at The Oval," the Indian captain added.
Kohli, however, refused to focus on the negatives from the match and asserted that the team needs to be positive for the final Test of the series.
"There were not many negatives for us from this game. We need to focus on the positives. We have to take heart going into the final Test," the Delhi cricketer expressed.
