NZ v IND 2020: Kohli fends off criticism after humbling defeat in first Test

India folded twice inside four days to almost suffer an innings defeat to New Zealand.

India lost by ten wickets in Wellington | GettyDisappointed by the outcome, Virat Kohli had no issues admitting that his team was outplayed by New Zealand in the first Test in Wellington but the Indian captain also fended off the criticism that the visitors are facing after folding out twice inside four days and almost suffering an innings defeat. 

India got bundled out for 165 & 191 either side of conceding a massive 348 with the ball as the Black Caps finished with a ten-wicket victory at the Basin Reserve. 

Read Also: Cricket fraternity reacts on India's deflating loss in Wellington Test

"We know we haven't played well, but if people want to make a big deal out of it, make a mountain out of it, we can't help it as we don't think like that," Kohli told reporters after the game on Monday (February 24). 

"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 and keep our heads high."

"We understand that we need to play well to win, also at home. There's no cakewalk at international level as teams will come and beat you. You accept it and that defines our character as a side."

The skipper reckons if his team cared too much about the "outside chatter", it wouldn't be where it is today, at the top of the World Test Championship points table. "That's why we have been able to play this kind of cricket," he said. "If we would have paid attention to the outside chatter, we would again be at No. 7 or 8 in the rankings. We don't really bother about what people are saying on the outside."

"If we have lost then we have no shame in accepting that. It means we didn't play this game well. It doesn't mean that we have become a bad team overnight. People might want to change our thoughts, but it doesn't work like that."

Kohli will know, the best way to respond to criticism would be with a win next week in Christchurch. "We will work hard, and after four days play just like we have played all these years. Just because we have lost one match in between all wins, doesn't mean that the belief is gone," he said. "The dressing room thinks differently and team atmosphere is different."

Unlike their Indian counterparts, the Kiwis were outstanding with the ball, making the ball talk for longer from both ends, which was easily the biggest difference between the two sides. 

"New Zealand got into the mind of the batsmen and make the batsmen do something that they don't want to," Kohli said. "Think that's a very thin line and a very delicate balance of when to attack and when to put bowlers under pressure which we failed to do in this match and there is no harm in accepting that."

(Inputs from PTI)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 24 Feb, 2020

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