Virat admits that 'India need to learn the art of crossing lines'

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After losing the penultimate Test match runs and ultimately the series to England, Indian skipper Virat Kohli admitted that they need to excel the art of crossing the lines. While chasing a target of 245 runs, team India fell short by 60 runs and surrendered the series to England 3-1.

During the post-match press conference, Kohli said, “We know that we have played well but we can’t go on saying that when we haven’t won. There is the art of crossing the line and we have to learn how to do it.”

Kohli gave the home team credit for setting up a tough target of 245 on a pitch where scoring runs weren't really easy.

“I thought England did well to give us that target. They batted well in third innings. Seeing how the pitch was, how the ball was turning, they applied themselves. Don't think we made too many mistakes today but credit to them.”

The Indian skipper felt that England were "braver in tough situations" compared to India which was the difference between the two sides in the fourth. He said, “They were braver in tough situations than us. Those contributions from lower-order have been significant.”

He termed Curran as a find for England in the ongoing series while maintaining that the series has been more closely fought than the scoreline would suggest.

I want to congratulate Sam Curran. He's been doing well for them (England) and I wish him all the best. : Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/x4rOfdivg7

— Gentlemen's Game (@DRVcricket) September 2, 2018

“Joe (Root) was saying, it might not look like it but it has been a competitive series. We will not throw in the towel, we will come out with the same intensity at The Oval,” the Indian captain said.

Kohli and Rahane stitched a partnership of 101 runs during the run chase. However, after Kohli’s dismissal, the Indian batting line-up collapsed terribly.

“We never thought like that (of an impending collapse). Usually, with a big partnership, you're always in the chase. But we were always under the pump. The pressure was non-stop,” Kohli said.

But he did admit that his dismissal in both the innings was a factor in India's fortunes.

“I thought about my dismissal as well in the first innings if I had carried on we would've got a larger lead. Nothing to take away from Pujara. He played so well to get us that lead.”

Despite most of his batsmen having failed in this Test and bowlers were unable to wipe the tail out in both innings, Kohli didn't find too many negatives with the performance.

“There were not many negatives for us from this game. We need to focus on the positives. We have to take heart going into the final Test.”