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Adelaide - A disappointing loss to Australia wasn't enough to change India stand-in skipper Virat Kohli's impression of the first test. He called it the greatest game he's played.
Kohli led a bold run chase on Saturday's final day, but India lost by 48 runs at the Adelaide Oval.
Kohli's highest test score, 141, which raised hopes of an unlikely India win, made him just the fourth cricketer from his country to score centuries in each innings of a test.
"If we were able to pull this off, today would have been one of the most special moments in my life," Kohli said.
"But I'm really proud of the way the boys played. And no regrets, my greatest game."
Kohli wasn't disappointed, just "a little bit hurt because of the fact that we couldn't cross the line when it looked pretty bright for us. At no point did we back off."
Kohli, subbing for regular captain M.S. Dhoni, who missed the first test while he recovers from a left hand injury, said he never considered not going for the total of 364 runs Australia set for victory from 98 overs on the final day.
India was 105-2 at lunch and 205-2 at tea. The 159 further runs required in the final session was a temptingly achievable target for India's batsmen, who kept playing their shots in pursuing a record run chase, rather than trying to grind out a draw.
The highest victorious fourth-innings test total at the Adelaide Oval remains Australia's 315-6 against England in 1902, while Australia-India tests continue to go in favor of home teams, having now won 12 in a row.
"If at any stage that we had in mind that we might play for a draw, we would have lost by 150 runs, to be honest," Kohli said. "So we went for it. That is what I am happy about."
Dhoni is expected to return to the captaincy for the second test in Brisbane starting Wednesday, which suits Kohli just fine.
"I would be very happy that he is going to be fit and available for the second test," Kohli said. "It doesn't matter if I have the 'C' in front of my name or not. That doesn't change anything as far as my mindset is concerned."
