Kohli gutted to be outplayed by England

England v India 2018 tour

India skipper Virat Kohli admitted to being very disappointed with his team’s performance in their innings defeat to England at Lord’s.

The tourists now trail 2-0 in the five match series after a weak start with bat in hand in particular.

Kohli felt the weather had a big impact on the game, saying after the match: “The weather was unpredictable, it was different when we started then it changed suddenly, [but] I think we got the combination a bit off before the game. We have a chance to correct that next game. Two-nil down the only option is to come out positive, make it 2-1 and make it an exciting series from there.”

The India skipper gave England credit for outplaying his side, a feeling they are not accustomed to of late.

“I’m not very proud of the way we played do be honest, this is the first time in last five Tests that we’ve been outplayed and credit has to go to England,” he said. “They were clinical with the ball, bat and in the field. When a team plays like that they deserve to be on the winning side.

“You can’t really think about these things [conditions] when you are playing the game, it is what it is, you have to counter the conditions when they come to you. You can’t sit in the dressing room and crib about these things. Sometimes the rub of the green goes your way as well, that’s part of the game. When it doesn’t a quality side will make it count and England did that. Even when the ball is doing a bit you have to pitch it in the right areas and they were relentless.”

The skipper had to bat at number five in India’s second innings after a niggle kept him off the field for some time.

He hopes to be fit in time to take his place in India’s XI at Trent Bridge.

“I should be okay, there are five days to go,” he said. “It’s a little lower back issue which has becoming on again due to the workload and the number of games I’ve played in the last few years. You’ve still got to stay on top of that, work as hard as you go, do rehab and a bit of strength work. I’m confident I’ll be fine.”

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