Cape Town, Jan 14 (UNI) India Test captain Virat Kohli on Friday expressed disappointment in the team\u2019s batting after losing the three-match series to South Africa 1-2.<\/p>\n
India set a target of 212 for South Africa in the third and series-deciding Test, which the latter chased down comfortably with a seven-wicket win on Day 4 at Newlands.<\/p>\n
\u201cBatting has let us down in the last two matches. There is no running away from from that,\u201d said Kohli at the virtual press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, we\u2019re disappointed. That\u2019s a natural part of sport. There is no room for ifs and buts in sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen one moment passes there\u2019s no point in thinking about it. It\u2019s just that they\u2019d a chasable total in the third Test,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
On Day 3, India found themselves in a tricky period after both experienced campaigners Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane had yet another bad day at the office.<\/p>\n
Kohli and Rishabh Pant (100 not out) steadied the innings and built a solid 94-run partnership. But after the dismissal of Kohli (29), the lower middle-order too failed to add crucial runs.<\/p>\n
When asked how many chances will the team give to Pujara and Rahane, the India skipper said, \u201cThat\u2019s not for me to discuss. This is not my job, it is selectors\u2019 job.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have continued to support our players. They have contributed in the past and been part of important partnerships.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLook batting includes lower middle-order, till no.7 or 8 as well. It\u2019s a collective responsibility to contribute with bat,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
A number of Indian players, including Kohli, had directed anger at broadcaster after DRS saved South Africa captain Dean Elgar on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The incident happened in the 21st over of the final innings when Ravichandran Ashwin and his teammates got charged up, thinking they had the big fish Elgar out leg-before as the on-field umpire signalled out.<\/p>\n
However, Elgar immediately reviewed it. The ball tracking went in favour of the hosts as it showed the ball would have gone over the stumps. Although it looked plumb on first instance, South Africa skipper survived.<\/p>\n
Kohli walked up to the stumps, and spoke into the mic, saying, \u201cFocus on your team while they shine the ball. Not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vice-captain KL Rahul and Ashwin too were heard afterwards. When asked about it, Kohli said, \u201cI\u2019ve no comments to make on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reality of situation is we didn\u2019t apply enough pressure on them. I\u2019m not interested in making a controversy out of it,\u201d he signed off.<\/p>\n
UNI PN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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