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Virat Kohli says India must be mentally tougher in difficult situations after loss to England
'I don't play for people, I don't play for perceptions, I don't play for reputation; I only play to make the team win.'
Friday 7 September 2018 21:25, UK
Captain Virat Kohli has challenged India to become mentally tougher in the wake of his side's series defeat in England.
India slipped 3-1 down in the series with a 60-run defeat at the Ageas Bowl having rallied from a 2-0 deficit with victory by 203 runs in the third Test at Trent Bridge.
The tourists, the top-ranked Test team in the world, have caught well in the series in support of an impressive and quick seam attack described by coach Ravi Shastri as the best India have ever produced.
But, like England, they have struggled at the top of the batting order and Kohli told Sky Sports commentator Michael Holding that India have fallen short in pressure situations.
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"I think it was a competitive series to begin with," said the 29-year-old.
"We've already understood and admitted the things that we haven't done well and that's something we're very keen to improve on because to get into competitive positions you understand that you have the ability but ability gets you to a certain extent so far and then your mental toughness comes in to play when you want to win Test series in difficult conditions, in difficult countries.
"That's something we aspire to do; when you don't do that from winning positions it obviously hurts a lot more than any other thing.
"For us as a team that's probably been the most frustrating part - that we have shown our skillsets to get into positions but we haven't capitalised on them. All we can do is gain experience from that and try to get better as a team, because I certainly believe that we can do the job providing we are mentally tougher in difficult situations."
Ahead of the fifth and final Test at the Oval, Kohli's series haul of 544 runs in eight innings was more than double that of his nearest challenger - Jos Buttler, with 260 runs - confirming his status as the top-ranked player in the global game.
His success on the field has brought worldwide fame, the scrutiny intense in the extreme in India. So how does he deal with the pressure?
"I'm more focussed on having a very solid life and being happy with life and doing the right thing on a daily basis, and then everything else seems like an enjoyable journey and part of the larger picture," said Kohli.
"For me the larger picture is always going to be life. If I'm solid and if I'm doing the right thing in my life then I'm much more confident on the field.
"I don't play for people, I don't play for perceptions, I don't play for reputation; I only play to make the team win and that's why I started playing the sport.
"I didn't start the sport to have numbers because they are inconsequential; people only remember your attitude and what you brought onto the field."
Live coverage of the fifth Test between England and India continues on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event.
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