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
Liam Livingstone praises England spinner Rehan Ahmed as ‘exceptional talent’
Ahmed has furthered his blossoming reputation against the West Indies by recording identical figures of 10-1-40-2 in two ODIs in Antigua.
-
England
Little bit of relief – Sam Curran and England bounce back in Antigua
Curran laid the groundwork for England’s six-wicket win.
-
England
Sam Curran and Jos Buttler return to form as England level series in Antigua
Chasing 203, Will Jacks put England into the ascendancy with a sparkling 73 off 72 balls.
-
England
Sam Curran finds form as England bowl out West Indies for 202
Curran took three big scalps days after enduring a tough time in the first ODI.
-
England
Andrew Flintoff set to return to England’s backroom staff for Windies T20 series
Flintoff first linked up with the national side in an unpaid role for ODI series against New Zealand and Ireland before the World Cup.
-
Women's Cricket
Danni Wyatt stars on 150th T20I appearance as England begin India tour with win
Sophie Ecclestone returned figures of three for 15 on her comeback appearance after four months out with a shoulder injury.
-
England
Harry Brook blocks himself from ‘negativity’ by withdrawing from social media
Brook has left the running of his X and Instagram accounts to someone else.
-
Women's Cricket
Sophie Ecclestone set for England return in T20 opener in India – Heather Knight
The world’s top-ranked limited-overs bowler underwent surgery after dislocating her shoulder in August.
-
England
Rehan Ahmed rejects Sir Alastair Cook’s criticism of Jos Buttler’s captaincy
Several of Buttler’s decisions were scrutinised during a calamitous World Cup defence.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson handed their first central contracts by ECB
England Women have once again issued 18 full-time deals.