'Had We Captured Those Moments...': Virat Kohli Explains Why India Lost Series To South Africa
IND vs SA, 3rd Test: Virat Kohli said the team failed to capitalise on the momentum in crucial junctures as South Africa defeated India by seven wickets in the 3rd Test.
New Delhi: India's Test captain Virat Kohli said the team failed to capitalise on the momentum in crucial junctures as South Africa defeated India by seven wickets to win the three-match series.
Addressing the post-match press conference, Virat Kohli said India lost too many wickets on certain sessions.
"It's a collective responsibility. Felt disappointed when we failed to capitalise on the momentum. Had we captured those moments, we could have had better chances," Kohli said.
READ | South Africa Beat India By 7 Wickets In Third Test, Clinch Three-Match Series 2-1
Dissecting the reasons behind the series loss, Kohli said South Africa chased well in the last two test matches.
"Our bowling strength is different from theirs. They have grown up on these pitches and they knew which areas to hit. They did it consistently. We tried to focus on our strengths but somehow that didn't happen here," Kohli said.
Justifying his strategy of fielding five bowlers, Kohli said, "Do you think lower order would have contributed more?"
The skipper praised wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant for his unbeaten century in the third test, calling it a high-quality knock.
"Definitely, a high-quality knock given the nature of the bowling attack he faced. Mistakes do happen but he learned from that. He is a special talent and this was a special knock," Kohli said.
Kohli, however, skirted questions on whether some seniors would be dropped from the squad owing to their string of poor performances.
"I can't tell anything right now on whether there will be any changes in the team or what kind of changes will happen. But there is a need to think about it," he said.
On the three-match ODI series coming up next week, Kohli said, "I am looking forward to the ODI series and I am looking to perform in that series. We may have lost the last two Test matches, but we didn't throw in our towel and easily left it for them. We fought hard."
On Friday, Keegan Petersen led the charge with a classy 82 as South Africa defeated India by seven wickets to win the series-deciding third Test.
Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma combined for an unbeaten partnership of 57 off 105 balls to chase down the 212 target. After losing the first test in Centurion, South Africa scripted a remarkable turnaround and won the next two test matches.
Brief scores: India 223 and 198 lost to South Africa 210 and 212/3 in 63.3 overs (Keegan Petersen 82, Rassie van der Dussen 41 not out; Shardul Thakur 1/22, Mohammed Shami 1/41) by seven wickets.
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