On the eve of the second Test match between India and Australia in Bengaluru, skipper Virat Kohli was upbeat at the press conference in Bengaluru about his team’s chances of levelling the series after their disastrous 333-run loss against Australia in the first Test.
“As a team we focus on what we do – we take losses and wins together. The one reason we got that streak was with the intent to play well. It doesn’t matter if we win or lose as long as we play well. Last game was a disappointment because of how we lost. If you don’t have the intent, then it hurts you more. The comments after that never mattered to us,” said Kohli.
The Indian captain also emphatically brushed off his counterpart Steve Smith’s comments about feeling additional pressure in the run-up to the Test.
“I’m happy, I’m smiling and I’m relaxed. There is no pressure. I don’t think there is going to be extra variation added to Steve O’Keefe’s bowling. We have to focus on our skills rather than look at what Australia is saying or what Australia is preparing. I know these mind games,” he said.
The Indian captain, though, preferred to remain silent on his team selection and said he was looking at a few combinations before taking a call on the playing XI.
“Hardik Pandya is not available for selection due to a niggle in his shoulder. Rest of the team is available for selection. I won’t reveal the team right now but we have two-three combinations in mind and we’ll see which one to go for depending on the surface,” he said.
Despite Steven Smith starring for Australia in Pune with 109 in the second innings, Kohli clarified that his team’s focus was not just on Steve Smith. “The whole team has to play well against Australia and that is something that we’ve identified. We’re not focusing on one player at all.” said the Indian captain. “If we don’t make the most of our chances, it doesn’t matter how many runs someone ends up scoring. The whole 10 wickets have to be taken twice and that’s something we already know.”