SA vs IND, 2nd Test: 150 means nothing as we have lost series, says Virat Kohli
Centurion: Indian skipper Virat Kohli did not bother hiding his disappointment as South Africa won the second Test by 135 runs to clinch the three-match Test series at the SuperSport Park here on Wednesday. Debutant Lungi Ngidi scalped six wickets as India were all out for 151 in the second innings.
While Kohli’s 153 in the first innings was India’s standout moment in this Test, other Indian batsmen failed to deliver as Faf du Plessis and co defeated the world number one Test team on the final day of the second Test.
Kohli, during the post-match presentation ceremony, made it clear that his first-innings heroics did not hold much value as the team could not win. Although Indian bowlers had their share of moments, Indian fielding, especially, close-in fielding was a big letdown.
“150 odd means nothing now that we have lost the series. If we had won, even a 30 would have mattered more. Having not won the game, personal milestones do not matter at all. As a team, you want to win collectively. We tried but we weren't good enough, especially in the fielding department. That's why they are the winners," said Kohli.
The Indian skipper, who tested his first Test series defeat after taking over the Test captaincy reins from MS Dhoni, said that the batsmen have let the team down, on a pitch that looked familiar to sub-continental pitches.
"We thought the wicket was really flat. (It was) Quite surprising. I told the guys the wicket looks different to what it looked before toss. Especially after South Africa lost wickets in the first innings, we should have capitalised. We failed to get a good partnership and take lead. We have let ourselves down. The bowlers have done the job but the batsmen have let the team down,” said the Indian skipper.
Kohli, meanwhile, stated that he would not give anything less than hundred per cent whenever he is on the field.
“I want to leave everything on the field. That's the way I play,” concluded Kohli.
The third and final Test of the series will commence on January 24 in Johannesburg.
