Virat Kohli lauds Sam Curran's display in India's 60-run loss to England at Southampton

Sudhir Gupta 23:38 02/09/2018
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  • India’s hopes of salvaging the five-match series were extinguished on Sunday as they fell to a 60-run defeat to England in the fourth Test against England.

    Despite relinquishing the series 1-3 with a match to spare, India skipper Virat Kohli lauded the intensity shown by his men and vowed to come back stronger in the final match at the Oval.

    “I thought England played really well to give us that target, seeing how the pitch was and the ball was spinning, it was challenging for us,” Kohli said after the match.

    “We thought we were in with a chance last night but we didn’t get the start we wanted, they were relentless with the ball and applied pressure throughout. Credit to them, they bowled well and we couldn’t get enough.

    “There were many factors, but not many negatives, England played better than us and deserved the win. We need to take the positives into the next Test match.

    “Apart from Lord’s I don’t think we have been outplayed, it’s been enjoyable, teams going at each other with good quality. We’ll go to the Oval and come out with the same intensity.”

    Sam Curran dismissed Kohli in the first innings at Southampton.

    Sam Curran dismissed Kohli in the first innings at Southampton.

    Kohli, who went past 500 runs individually in the series, lauded England youngster Sam Curran for his fighting displays with the bat in both the innings. The 20-year-old England all-rounder struck a brilliant 78 in the first innings before following it up with an equally crucial 46 in the second innings.

    “I think it’s great to have guys who strike the ball well in those positions, you can get a partnership together and hurt the opposition,” Kohli said about the youngster.

    “They are fearless and have skills, they were braver than us in tough positions. Runs from the lower order were significant, I congratulate Sam Curran, he’s been a fine cricketer.”

    The fifth and final Test between the two sides will get underway at the Oval in London on September 7.

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