Defeat to New Zealand not end of the world, says Kohli

Tuesday, 25 February 2020 01:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

India's Virat Kohli after New Zealand beat India in the First Test - Reuters

WELLINGTON (Reuters): India captain Virat Kohli had a simple and honest message for the tens of millions of fans in his cricket-crazy nation after they lost the first test to New Zealand by 10 wickets at the Basin Reserve yesterday.

“We did not play good enough cricket and that’s why we lost,” Kohli told reporters after the loss before lunch on the fourth day.

“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.” New Zealand had virtually assured themselves victory on a pivotal third day when their lower order contributed 123 runs for the last three wickets, to take their first innings to 348 and a 183-run lead. Then they reduced the tourists to 144-4 by Sunday’s close of play and upon returning for the fourth day, Tim Southee and Trent Boult claimed five of the last six wickets needed to bowl them out for 191.

It took Tom Latham and Tom Blundell just 10 balls to score the nine runs required for victory, which was India’s first loss in the International Cricket Council’s World Test Championship.

Kohli praised New Zealand’s bowlers for their ability to build sustained periods of pressure and cramp the natural strokemakers in his side and said they had contributed to his side’s collapse for 165 in their first innings.