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Need to improve bowling big time: Kohli

The Indians lost the four-match series 0-2, their chances hampered mostly by shoddy bowling which time and again allowed Australian batsmen off the hook.

“There are certain negatives which we want to improve on and at the international level there is a lot for us to improve seeing how the Australians bowled. We need to improve big time on that and if we can do that we are going to be a strong test team going forward,” Kohli said after fourth Test, which ended in a draw here on Saturday.

Asked if this was going to be his prerogative as Test skipper, Kohli said it was impossible to win matches without having the wherewithal to grab 20 wickets.

“To win Test matches you need to take 20 wickets. The reason we have done well at home is we have taken 20 wickets. The spinners have bowled really well. The fast bowlers know how to bowl in home conditions with reverse-swing and they have a fair idea of the areas they have to bowl in. But when we come out, they get too excited with the bounce,” he explained.

“Actually we need to figure out which are the best areas to bowl to each batsman and work on those areas. You run up to bowl and you can pitch six balls on the same spot. Only then can you set the right fields as the captain to set up a batsman and get him out. The consistency bit is something we really need to work on,” he stressed.

However, Kohli, who made his debut as Indian captain in this see8es following Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s shock retirement, was pleased with the overall performance.

“It has been very satisfying to see everyone stepping up in this match and showing a lot of character and composure. Australia bowled quite well if you see their economy rates in this innings and the first innings as well. They have bowled on the spot and we have had to play good cricket shots to score runs,” he said.

“The team showed a lot of character especially in the second innings when I thought the wicket wasn’t easy to bat on. The guys stood there and dug it out and pulled out a draw which is satisfying as of now. But still at a certain stage I thought we could go after the target and it was worth taking that risk. We are not coming back here for a while so there is no point not trying,” Kohli added.

Murali Vijay got a half-century before 40s from Kohli himself and Ajinkya Rahane made it appear as if India would go for an improbable chase in the last session. But a few wickets fell quickly and they had to settle for a draw.
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