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Hope we don't repeat our mistakes: Kohli
Stand-in captain Virat Kohli lauded the performance of his boys while unsuccessfully defending a mediocre 246-run target against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, but admitted that they made multiple mistakes in the past few matches leading to the team's downfall.
"We are making three-four mistakes in a game which is becoming costly in the end. But people learn from mistakes. Hope, we don't repeat our mistakes.
"Despite being short on experience, the team showed a lot of character on the field as well as with the bowling. I'm proud of my team," Kohli said as India suffered their second consecutive defeat and are on the verge of being eliminated from the tournament in Bangladesh.
'I'm proud of the boys'
Kohli praised leggie Amit Mishra, who made it to the playing eleven after a long time, for his effort with ball, adding it's not a ‘shock’ that his team won't play the final in all likelihood.
"I'm not shocked at all... I'm proud of the boys and the way they fought while defending such a small total. Sometimes, you can get away in T20s, but in ODIs you have to show a lot of character.
"Mishra just gave away 28 runs. It was a commendable effort by everyone in the team."
'The plan was to take the risk'
Pakistan almost choked in their chase before Shahid Afridi hit an 18-ball 34 not out, including two sixes from two balls, to pull off a thrilling victory.
Pakistan needed 10 runs from last five balls with one wicket in hand and Afridi smashed two sixes off Ashwin to complete the chase.
"The plan was to take the risk and hope he mistimed one. But credit goes to him (Afridi). He cleared the boundary two or three times and they won.
"Afridi is always a big hitter and we thought if we could bowl a carrom ball and if he mistimed it, we could have a match in our hands," Kohli explained.
It was Mishra's two for 28 that had turned the game India's way before Pakistan snatched it.
'Keeping fingers crossed'
Lavishing praise on Mishra, Kohli said: "I have always been impressed by Amit Mishra. He is an attacking bowler who always like to have an extra fielder inside even with a small target to defend. He was brilliant with the ball."
Known to show a lot of temper, Kohli is showing little emotions as captain.
"It's more to do with the number of games that I've played than others. It's about having composure in different situations. That's how you learn. Even the guys respond to my ideas.
"It's good to be captaining out there in the middle. Everyone is giving their 100 per cent. I'm learning every game and using resources with best of our ability."
India now have only a mathematical chance to make the final and Kohli said they are just keeping their fingers crossed.
"We will just try and put a bonus point win. By March 4 we will know. We are just looking to improve every game."
India conclude the league stage wit a match against minnows Afghanistan on March 5.