We were about 30-35 runs short of a par score: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli and his Indian brigade crashed to an unlikely defeat at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. While the defeat comes as a borderline shock, it was quite clear that the Indians were not at their best on the day. However, speaking at the close of the match in the post-match presser, Kohli went on to state that his side had indeed fallen short of a certain amount of runs towards the close of the innings.

“Today was a case where we were about 30-35 runs short. 150 was the below-par score, to be honest on that sort of wicket,” the Indian captain said. “If we had bowled better, we could have made a good fight of the total we had on the board, but about 170-175 would have been a more competitive total, I wouldn’t say a match-winning one still because the ball was coming on nicely.

“Still, it would have been one that we could have tried a few things with the ball and put the pressure on the opposition but with the start they had, it was difficult to pull things back and that’s where we need a cushion of 35-40 runs which we didn’t have.

Kohli also gave credit to the England bowlers who did particularly well on the day. “Credit to them, they bowled in good areas and made it difficult for us to score off and I would say some loose shots from us led to us being 25-30 short. It was a combination of the two but I would say England’s bowlers were more of the reason,” he added.

Also read – India v England 1st T20I – Statistical Highlights

It was a rather strange thing to witness Kohli make his way out to open the innings. However, the Indian skipper went on to add that it was indeed a simple case of the unavailability of opening batsmen in the form of Rohit Sharma. Kohli is one of the few players who has also opened in the IPL for the Royal Challengers Bangalore as well.

“If Rohit was on the side, there’d be no question and he’d be opening with Rahul. It [Me opening] is more of providing balance to the side, I have no urge to open, I can play at 3 as well. I’ve played at 3 for India for a long time, I can play anywhere the management thinks is the best for the team.

“This is just the case of Rohit not being there and because I have opened in IPL and I have a fair idea of it. It was about adding balance to the side and making another guy play instead of pushing another guy to open who doesn’t have experience there, that would be unfair on him.”

“I’ve opened enough in the IPL, in 17 matches, so I think I have an idea about opening which is why I opened. You can play another batsman in the middle order, like Suresh Raina at No. 3.”