Kohli learnt a lot from defeat

– Virat Kohli is optimistic India can compete in challenging conditions in Australia in December despite a crushing 4-1 defeat to England that compounded a disappointing away record in Tests.

England wrapped up victory at the Oval on Tuesday, winning the final match of the series against the world’s No 1 side by 118 runs.

Despite the comprehensive nature of the defeat, he took positives from the tour as he looked forward to Australia, where India have never won a Test series.

“What matters to me is

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the kind of attitude you play cricket with,” the Indian captain said. “I see that as an opportunity and not adversity because if you keep winning all the time a lot of faults are swept under the carpet, you don’t realise the faults you need to work on.”

Kohli, top-scorer in the series with 593 runs, said India had created pressure at times but had not capitalised on key moments.

“We were not able to hold that pressure for long enough and they took advantage of those situations better than us,” he said.

India have now won just one of their last nine series outside Asia. But a number of factors are in their favour for Australia.

They boast arguably their finest pace attack, face a team still without the banned Steve Smith and David Warner and with fitness doubts over their attack.

When asked if he was confident about the fourmatch Test series, Kohli talked of the strides the team has made.

“The progress has been there... We can’t warm up into a series because the first Test is always crucial.” –