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.

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.

"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.

"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."

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."