World Cup 2019: Learnt from mistakes of 2017 Champions Trophy, says Virat Kohli

The Men in Blue will start their campaign in the 2019 World Cup on Wednesday when the Kohli-led side will be up against South Africa in Southampton

India skipper Virat Kohli believes that his team has learnt from the mistakes of the 2017 Champions Trophy when they lost to arch-rivals Pakistan in the final and the captain has said that introducing wrist spinners in the side was a step in that direction. The Men in Blue will start their campaign in the 2019 World Cup on Wednesday when the Kohli-led side will be up against South Africa in Southampton. Addressing the media on the eve of the clash, Kohli said, “The lessons from the Champions Trophy -- is to play the cricket we know how to play. In the final, the better side won. We have plugged the gaps. We brought in wrist spinners to take wickets in the middle overs. We are a stronger side than Champions Trophy side.”

All geared up - @imVkohli & Co. not willing to take South Africa lightly ahead of World Cup opener #TeamIndia #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/pD6I3YEEVi

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 4, 2019

The 30-year-old also expressed confidence in his team and said they have a good chance of winning their group stage games. “The first week has been gradual progress. A couple of lopsided games, a couple of one-sided games. There is a lot to learn about composure. The teams that are more composed have better chances of winning games, have better chances of handling pressure,” the Indian skipper expressed. “We need to bring our experience into play to make better decisions tomorrow. The team that can handle pressure better will win the tournament,” he added. Kohli also expressed his sorrow on Dae Steyn's unfortunate ousting from the rest of the tournament following his shoulder injury. “I feel really bad for Dale. He looked really happy. He was bowling really well and then suddenly we found out that he was not going to be able to continue,” said Kohli. “He has been doing very well. He still has the hunger and passion, but those niggles and injuries are just not going his way. I can understand his frustration about those injuries. I wish him a speedy recovery,” Kohli added.