IND vs AUS | Really hurts to lose this way; didn’t have enough batting intent today, admits Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli stressed out on the fact that India's mindset was bad
|Virat Kohli has admitted that it really hurts for the team to lose this way, especially after holding the upper hand on the first two days of the game. Alongside that, Kohli also pointed out that the visitors didn’t have enough batting intent on Day 3, where they folded to 36 losing nine wickets.
While the Australian bowlers bowled spectacular line and length in the first innings, India’s batting on Day 3 didn’t help them to build upon their ascendancy. With a lead of 53 runs going into the third day’s play, India had just lost one wicket overnight, which put them in a really good position to put Australia under pressure in the fourth innings.
However, in a session where the Australian bowlers blew the Indian batsmen, India lost eight of their wickets for just 26 runs, a phase which threw the game wide open in Australia’s favour. Despite a lead of 53 in the first innings, India could only set up a target of 90 for the hosts to win the first Test in Adelaide Oval.
Following the loss, Indian skipper Virat Kohli has admitted that it really hurts for the visitors to lose in such fashion. Alongside that, Kohli also reckoned that the Indian batting unit did not have the required intent to succeed on Day 3 of the first Test while crediting the Australian bowlers for bowling a similar length in the first innings.
“It's very hard to put those feeling into words. We had a lead of 60-odd when we arrived. And then just collapsed. Played two days of good cricket to get in a position and then just lose it in an hour. Really hurts. Probably didn't have enough intent in the batting today. It's something that needs to be reflected and learnt from. Bowlers bowled similar kind of areas in the first innings as well, but then our mindset was to get runs,” said Kohli in the post-match presentation.
He also stated that having a very defensive mindset and approach helped the Australians to build up on the momentum and run with the wickets. However, at the same time, Kohli was quite confident that the visitors would turn their fortunes around for the second Test which is around the corner.
“There were some good balls. But I don't think it did anything drastic. Just the atmosphere was created where runs were difficult to come by. I think it was a combination of both - lack of intent, and bowlers bowling in good areas. Obviously you want to be committed to the team's cause. Confident the boys going forward will reflect on this and come up with a better result on Boxing Day,” he added.
While India did not just lose the first Test, they also seemingly lost Mohammed Shami out of the bowling, with the bowler walking off with an injury to his wrist. However, Kohli wasn’t in a position to give an exact update on the bowler’s fitness ahead of the next Test.
“No news on Shami, he's going for a scan now. Was in a lot of pain, couldn't even lift his arm. We'll probably know in the evening what happens.”
