Stay longer in crease to frustrate Australia in next Test: Kohli to batters

India did not bat smartly in the first innings, reckoned skipper Virat Kohli on Monday, asking his team-mates to show more patience and application to frustrate the Australian bowlers in the remaining Tests of the four-match series.

India, who claimed the opening Test by 31 runs, were 86 for 5 in the first innings before Cheteshwar Pujara's gritty 123 helped the visitors post 250.

"In the first innings, we did not bat smartly in the first session and allowed their bowlers to get back in the game," said Kohli after India bowled out Australia for 291 in their innings to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

"The longer we stay at the crease, they will have to bowl 2nd or 3rd spells and you have more scoring opportunities because when the kookaburra gets softer, you can play shots easier," he said.

"In the second innings we had to take a different approach because there was time in the game, we did not want to score runs too early because if we keep them in the field, they will get frustrated and we will get runs later. That was one thing that we have to keep in mind for the next Test," he said.

In the second innings, Murali Vijay (18) and KL Rahul (44) put on a 63-run opening partnership to give India a good start.

"The way Vijay and Rahul batted in second innings, I think it was overcast and very important phase, they took on the bowlers, especially Rahul. I think those contributions should not be neglected. A 44-run contribution in the context of a 323-run target is massive," he said.

"I think everyone can be proud of how they played this game but given an opportunity, from 40 to get a big 100, that's something every batsman would want to do and that's something that all of us will try and do in the next game. If you have control of the game, drive home the advantage."
"We were totally convinced in our minds that a result is possible - either we will win or the match will be drawn. We didn't even think about defeat. We have to continue that mindset in the next few matches."
"He controlled the game nicely and kept us in the game, not letting it drift away too much away at any stage. I think he did his job perfectly, that's a good start for him. He hasn't started that well in Australia before and I think he can build on that."