Australia played better cricket with consistency: Kohli

Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday credited the Australian side for playing better cricket in the recently-concluded Perth Test where the hosts registered a 146-run victory over the visitors. He said that though they were fully committed and determined in the match, it was Australia who were more consistent throughout the course of the game.

Emphasising that the Indian team is still in a good space, the 30-year-old said that a little bit more composure from their side could help them repeat what they did in Adelaide.

"We were committed and determined in the match. There was no lacking in that area but Australia played a better cricket. They were more consistent. As a team, we are in a good space because we know we are playing good cricket. If we show composure, we can encore our Adelaide Test victory," Kohli said at a post-match press conference.

When quizzed about the disappointing performance of the Indian openers in both the innings of the second Test, Kohli stressed on the need to keep backing them and assuring them that they are good enough to perform. He said that players have figured out what went wrong with them in the game and they are more than ready to correct their mistakes.

"You just have to keep backing them (openers) and telling them that they are good enough to perform. It is not about giving individual goals but just telling them what is the requirement of the team and what role they need to perform. I am sure these guys have figured out what went wrong in this game. They are very keen to correct it," Kohli said.

"You just have to be confident as a side and believe that the role given would be fulfilled. Individuals, to a certain extent, need to take responsibility and we are looking forward to it," he added.

The verbal spat between Australian skipper Tim Paine and Kohli during the course of the match was one of the highlights of the second Test. While speaking about the same, Kohli said that things do get competitive in Test cricket and as long as there is no swearing on the field or personal attacks, the line does not get crossed.

"There was some banter going on (During the second Test). Even at Adelaide, there was banter going on. It is Test cricket and it has to be competitive. As long as there is no swearing on the field or personal attacks, I think the line doesn't get crossed. That's it," Kohli said.

Not commenting further on the issue, Kohli said that they are now completely focused on their third Test and rest of the things are irrelevant for them.

India and Australia will lock horns in the third Test of the series which is slated to be held from Dec 26-30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.