Never Thought About The Spin Option: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli at the post-match press conference after the second Test in Perth.

(Photo: ANI)

Skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday said the thought of having a spinner for the second Test against Australia never crossed his mind as he believed India's four-pronged pace attack would do the job.

India lost the match by 146 runs.

The visitors were outdone by a second successive eight-wicket haul by off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who was adjudged the man-of-the-match, on a pitch that favoured the seamers.

When we looked at the pitch, we didn’t think about the (Ravindra) Jadeja option. We thought four quicks would be enough.

Virat Kohli

India were bowled out for a paltry 140 in their second innings on the fifth and final day.

Nathan Lyon bowled really well. We never thought about the spin option to be honest.

Virat Kohli

Asked about his 123-run innings in the first innings, Kohli said: "When you don't win you don't really rank your performances so it's irrelevant because we didn't get the result we wanted.

"I am focused on the next game and I hope I can contribute on a winning note," said Kohli.

The India skipper praised Australia for the win, saying the hosts were relentless in their bowling and also outshone the visitors in batting.

As a team I think we played well in patches which we can hold onto. Australia played much better than us with the bat. 330 on that pitch we felt was a bit too much. They deserved to win.

Virat Kohli

"We had the belief we could do it, but they were more relentless and put us in trouble," said Kohli.

Talking about India's bowling performance, Kohli said: "(Our bowlers) are outstanding as a pack, to see them dominate was really good to see and something we want to build on. They are relentless even if they aren't getting wickets which is a great quality."

Asked about his controversial dismissal in the first innings, Kohli: "It was a decision made on the field, it stays there."

Australian skipper Tim Paine was a relieved man after his team won their first Test since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa had plunged the game into crisis.

"It's probably more a relief at the moment, first Test win has taken a while," Paine said after Australia levelled the four-Test series 1-1.

Really proud of the players and staff. Good to get a little bit of reward. It was as difficult Test, both have been tough Tests. Two really competitive sides with good fast bowling attack.

Tim Paine