Loss against Australia a big learning for me, says Kohli

After tasting his first loss as full-time India skipper, Virat Kohli on Saturday conceded that the 333-run loss to Australia in the first cricket Test is a big learning for him.

Australia ended India's 19-match unbeaten streak after thrashing the hosts within three days to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match Test rubber.

"It's been a good run. Good to see the support. We got outplayed in this game. We got to take it on the chin, accept that they outplayed us," the 28-year-old said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

"I take the loss on the chin and move ahead. Big learning Test for me as well, this was one occasion where they outplayed us."

Kohli admitted that it was India's worst batting display in the last two years, after the hosts twice succumbed to left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe, who returned with a career-best match haul of 12/70.

India were bowled out for a paltry 105 in the first innings and could only master 107 in their second essay chasing 441.

"It was our worst batting display in the last two years. We need to see what we did wrong. They exploited it better than us," he said.

"They put us under pressure throughout and deserved to win this game. We've had two really bad sessions and to pull it back against a quality side is very difficult. No excuses. Sometimes, you have to take your hat off and tell the opposition well done."

With Pune hosting a Test match for the first time, Kohli dismissed any demons on the pitch and credited the Australians for exploiting the wicket pretty well.

"The wicket at Pune always remains low and slow but as I said credit goes to their bowlers for exploiting it much better than us."

Among the positives, Kohli counted pacer Umesh Yadav's brave effort in the both the innings, which saw the 29-year-old Vidarbha bowler ending with a match haul of 6/71.

"Kudos to him. He understood the situation well and bowled accordingly," he said.

--IANS

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