Kingston, Jamaica: When India landed in West Indies no one would have thought they would capitulate so easily in the first two matches of the tri series. They although their first match against West Indies went down to the wire, they still looked the second best side to the most part in that outing. But on Tuesday, they were beaten so comprehensively that Virat Kohli, who was appointed India skipper in the absence of MS Dhoni, was found short of words to defend his team.
"It was a tough day at the office. We were not up to the mark with the ball. The Sri Lankans batted really well. When we batted, we did not apply ourselves," Kohli said after India's crushing 161-run defeat to Sri Lank.
Captaining India for the first time, Kohli would have like a better effort from his bowlers, who were smashed all round the park by Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene - both of them got to their hundreds and added 213 runs for the opening wicket. While Jayawardene made 107 off 112 balls, Tharanga cracked 174 not out off 159 balls as Sri Lanka posted a mammoth 348 on the board.
Virat Kohli could make only two before being caught by Lasith Malinga off Angelo Mathews. (AP Photo)
But Kohli enthused confidence in his young side, saying they still have a chance of making to the finals. "We have to take everything in our stride. We need to rectify our mistakes. If we win the next two matches convincingly, we can reach the final and we are confident of winning it."
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