Put our best foot forward but it wasn’t enough: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli’s India on Sunday slumped to a 60-run loss in the third Test-even after being ahead of the Englishmen for a good part in the match.

In the post-match presentation, Kohli accepted the fact that they were outdone by a quality performance from the hosts who batted with grit and gusto to set them a challenging total to chase down in the fourth innings. He also said that India gave their best effort, despite coming up short in the end.

“We thought we were in with a fifty-fifty chance last night. Didn’t get a good start, England applied a lot of pressure. All in all it was a challenging day, we put our best foot forward but it wasn’t good enough. Don’t think we made too many mistakes today. Credit to them” said the Indian captain as quoted by The Indian Express.

He further added, “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 and got to a total that was challenging,” he added.

The 29-year old calmed the nerves within the Indian camp after Stuart Broad and James Anderson took apart the visitors’ wobbly top-order, reducing them to 22/3 at one stage.

But captain Kohli and his deputy Rahane stitched a 101-run stand to bail India out of immediate trouble but eventually, they couldn’t capitalise on the good work as England seized control on the match and ended up victorious.

He said, “Me and Jinks did well with that partnership, but if you don’t have a partnership before or after it becomes difficult. But we were always under the pump. The pressure was non-stop. We felt the passion of eleven players on the field, wanting to win the Test match for their country. Me and Jinks (Rahane) had the same passion. It was getting competitive. It was tough for England as well that phase. But they pulled it back. That’s the beauty of Test cricket.”

Kohli’s dismissal right before tea triggered a collapse as Moeen Ali, much like the first innings turned out to be the wrecker-in-chief with four wickets, spinning England to a series win.

Despite good performances from Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahane, India were unable to level the series in Southampton.

“Nothing to take away from Pujara. He was outstanding in the first innings to get us a lead of 30-odd. He played so well to get us that lead,” Kohli said.

He also added that despite this loss, India wouldn’t lose out on intensity when they take the field for the fifth and final Test match at the Oval.

“Joe (Root) was saying, it might not look like it but it has been a competitive series. Agree with him, been enjoyable to play. Fun for the people to watch too. Won’t throw in the towel, we will come out with the same intensity at The Oval,” he added.