India vs England: Virat Kohli Blasts at Reporter Over ‘Best Indian Side’ Tag During Press Conference After Oval Test—Watch Video

In pursuit of a mammoth target of 464, India were bowled out for 345 and lost the 5th Test by 118 runs, giving England a 4-1 win in the series.

India lost the Oval Test by 118 runs, thereby losing the five-match series against England 1-4. However, India skipper Virat Kohli insisted that his team were not outplayed and the final scoreline of 4-1 was not a true reflection of how his team competed in the five-match rubber.

“I think the 1-4 scoreline is a fair one as England played better than us but we were not outplayed barring the Lord’s Test,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony. “The kind of cricket we have played might not show on the scorecard. But both the teams know this series has been a competitive one,” he added.

In the post-match press conference, the Indian skipper was quizzed by one of the reporters about the “best Indian team” tag as labelled by head coach Ravi Shastri.

“The best Indian team in the last 15 years! Do these tags put pressure on you? Do you actually believe you are?” The reporter asked Kohli. “We have to believe we are the best side. Why not?” replied the Indian skipper while keeping his emotions in check.

“The best team in 15 years?” asked the reporter again to which an agitated Kohli replied, “What do you think” The reply was clear with his answer as he said: “I am not sure.” The 29-year-old brought an end to the chat with the reporter saying, “That’s your opinion. Thank you.”

Watch the video:

Shastri, while addressing the media last Wednesday said, “I can’t see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years that has had the same run in such a short time, and you have had some great players playing in those series. So the promise is there, and it’s just about getting tougher mentally. You have got to hurt when you lose matches because that’s when you look within and come out with the right kind of answers to combat such situations and get past the finishing line. One day you will if you believe.”

Responding to the statement, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar said teams in 1980s had won matches in England and West Indies. “In Sri Lanka, not too many Indian captains and teams have won. West Indies, England and South Africa, previous teams have won matches in the last 15-20 years. I think this was his [Ravi Shastri] view and perhaps only he can speak about it. What I can say is teams in 1980s have won in England and West Indies,” Gavaskar said while speaking with India Today.