Kohli: 'I didn't feel we were not prepared'

Talking about the wicket at the New Wanderers Stadium, Kohli said it is going to be a typical hard surface which will offer bounce.

Published : Jan 23, 2018 18:18 IST , Johannesburg

Virat Kohli said if every player can rectify his errors, it will lead to overall progress.
Virat Kohli said if every player can rectify his errors, it will lead to overall progress.
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Virat Kohli said if every player can rectify his errors, it will lead to overall progress.

Virat Kohli felt the surface for the third Test would be a “typical Wanderers pitch.”

The Indian captain added, “Well it’s definitely very different from the last game at Centurion. I would say it is similar to Cape Town but with a bit more grass on it which we expected. Yeah, it’s going to a very lively wicket throughout the course of the Test.”

Asked whether India would go in with an all-seam attack, Kohli responded, “Well, the chances of anything happening are very bright. As I said, there is a lot of grass on the pitch, we would definitely look at that option. I am sure both the teams would be thinking about those options.”

Read: Temba Bavuma ruled out of third Test

Kohli was not willing to look at the lack of preparation for the setbacks here. “I personally don’t feel we didn’t feel prepared starting this series, I won’t sit here and point that out after losing a Test series. We had a week to prepare ourselves; five days because one day we were travelling.

“As I said, we are not going to sit and think of outside factors that made us lose. It was our errors, our mistakes of not capitalising on situations that led us to the result being 2-0 so far,” he added.

Kohli said the players needed to take up individual responsibility to rectify small errors that have haunted India in the series so far. “Although it’s a team game, each individual is doing his own time at any given time.”

Also read: Amarnath wants Indian batsmen to watch Virat's footwork and learn

On batsmen facing technical issues in the series, Kohli said, “Everyone has been spoken to individually, the discussions have happened as to what went wrong, what happened, why it happened and the guys have taken it well.”

Looking at the positive from the series, “We have taken 40 wickets in the two Tests, we have not done that on many overseas tours, and that is a big boost for us. As I said earlier, whichever side batted better would win.”

He admitted India needed to improve its fielding. “Look fielding is obviously a big factor. They have fielded better than us and it's visible.”

Kohli had fond memories of the pulse-pounding game the last time India played a Test at the Wanderers in 2013. “I think 2013 was a very exciting Test for everyone to be involved in. For both the teams as well as the crowd, the last day being really a see-saw day. It was memorable for me and the team. I feel really good when I walk into the ground, it’s a great vibe.”

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