Kohli slams ‘competitiveness’ as India ‘let themselves down massively’

India captain Virat Kohli insists his side were simply “not good enough” in their 10-wicket defeat by New Zealand in the first Test in Wellington.
Tim Southee and Trent Boult shared nine wickets as the tourists were all out for 191 in their second innings, a lead of just eight.
New Zealand knocked off those runs inside two overs to seal victory and go 1-0 up in the two-Test series.
Kohli said his number one ranked side “didn’t show enough competitiveness”.
FULL SCORECARD: First Test, New Zealand beat India by 10 wickets
“The simple truth is we did not play good enough cricket,” added the 31-year-old batsman, whose side had won their previous seven Test matches.
India began the fourth morning on Monday trailing the hosts by 39 runs on 144-4, but lasted just 79 minutes as Southee and Boult claimed five of the last six wickets between them.
Man of the match Southee took 5-61 to end with match figures of 9-110.
Kohli said being dismissed for just 165 in the first innings was crucial but added that his team can recover from a first loss in 11 Tests.
“We let ourselves down massively in the first innings with the bat,” he said.
“Some people might want it to be the end of the world, but it’s not. For us, it’s a game of cricket we lost and we move on. We keep our heads high.”
The second Test starts in Christchurch on Saturday, 29 February.
Latest
-
England
England batter Harry Brook believes he is a more powerful hitter than in 2022
Brook was the star performer during day one of England’s Test warm-up against a New Zealand XI in Hamilton.
-
England
Harry Brook smashes 97 as England pile on runs in New Zealand warm-up clash
The tourists racked up 465 all out in just 69.2 overs.
-
England
Harry Brook hits nine sixes en route to 97 as England start New Zealand tour
Captain Ben Stokes opted not to take the field, allowing Ollie Pope to lead the side instead.
-
Women's Cricket
England quartet enter WPL auction at top £50,000 base price
Nat and Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt are among 24 players at the maximum reserve.
-
England
England spinner Jack Leach ‘having too much fun to get ill now’
The Somerset spinner was hospitalised the last time he toured New Zealand with England.
-
Women's Cricket
Sarah Glenn hopes aggressive mindset helps England do ‘something really special’
Jon Lewis’ squad play their final warm-up against New Zealand in Cape Town.
-
England
Michael Vaughan set to be only charged individual to appear at racism hearing
A hearing has been confirmed to take place between March 1 and 9.
-
New Zealand
Kyle Jamieson hoping for more exciting cricket as Brendon McCullum returns to NZ
England face New Zealand in a two-Test series.
-
Australia
Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch retires from international cricket
The 36-year-old skippered Australia in 76 T20 internationals, more than any other men’s player.
-
England
On this day in 2017: Sir Alastair Cook steps down as England Test captain
Cook’s 59 Tests in charge made him the nation’s longest-serving captain at the time.