Kohli: We did think we could win

Despite losing the match by 118 runs, Virat Kohli was proud of his team's performance, especially Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul's 204-run partnership.

Published : Sep 12, 2018 00:56 IST , London

Virat Kohli's side lost the series 4-1 to England, despite coming close on many occassions.
Virat Kohli's side lost the series 4-1 to England, despite coming close on many occassions.
lightbox-info

Virat Kohli's side lost the series 4-1 to England, despite coming close on many occassions.

Virat Kohli was proud of India's fightback on the final day of the fifth Test. India was a long way away from victory at the start of Tuesday's play, but hundreds from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant dragged the side back into contention. Their stand of 204 was India's highest for the sixth wicket against England.

ALSO READ | Rahul, Pant tons in vain as England wraps series 4-1

"The one thing that we spoke about was how we react to the fifth day’s play is going to determine a lot of what happens in the future for all of us," Kohli said later. "It is very easy to surrender and say it's too difficult or we might not be able to do this. But if you show the right attitude, then throughout your career you will have more good memories than bad and the game will give you back because you are
respecting it and playing in the right manner.

ALSO READ | Tearful Anderson pays tribute to Cook after breaking record

"KL hadn’t had a great run but still went out and played like that. Rishabh was doubtful of a few innings and then he comes and plays like that as well. That partnership was a great show of character. Many people may look at it as England not being interested or not having motivation but that wasn’t the case clearly because they were going for the win. These guys batted really well.”

At tea, India was 298 for five, 166 runs away from victory. He had entertained thoughts of a win, Kohli admitted. "We did think about it but we knew these guys (Rahul-Pant) had to be there when the target
got under 100 and then we would have a chance," he said. "England were waiting for someone to get out and then take the new ball; we understood that also."

ALSO READ | England's swing king: James Anderson's Test career in numbers

Joe Root, meanwhile, hailed James Anderson after he became the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test history. "For him to be in the same league as McGrath, and now chasing the big two spinners, is
phenomenal,” he said. “The most exciting thing is he's bowling at his best, and I can see that carrying forward for a long time still. For Alastair to go out like that, and Jimmy to finish the game off in real style was so fitting for those two guys. They're going to miss playing with each other."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment