AUS vs IND: Virat Kohli mentioned Indian batsmen lacked intent in the 2nd innings.© AFP
Reflecting on India’s eight-wicket loss to Australia in their initially-ever overseas day-evening Test, skipper Virat Kohli mentioned that the batsmen did not show “enough intent” on Day 3, adding that this loss “really hurts”. He also mentioned that it is “hard to put those feelings into words”. Kohli and other Indian batsmen failed miserably on Day 3 as Australian duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ran riot. Talking about Australia’s bowling, Kohli mentioned that they had bowled equivalent types of line and length in the initially innings as effectively but their constructive mindsets helped them do fare improved in the initially innings.
“It’s very hard to put those feelings 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. It really hurts. Probably didn’t have enough intent in the batting today. It’s something that needs to be reflected and learnt from,” mentioned a dejected Kohli at the post-match presentation.
“Bowlers bowled similar kind of areas in the first innings as well, but then our mindset was to get runs. 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,” he added, questioning the lack of intent shown by the Indian batsmen in the second innings which saw them post their lowest-ever total in Test cricket.
Apart from poor batting show, an additional massive blow to India came when Mohammed Shami was injured by a bouncer and left the field in discomfort.
Giving an update on Shami’s injury, Kohli mentioned: “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”.
India will be without having Kohli for the remainder of the series, with Ajinkya Rahane taking more than the captaincy but Kohli was confident that group would bounce back strongly in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, which begins on December 26.
“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.