India vs England: Virat Kohli admits team failed to capitalise on opening advantage

After conceding the series to England in Southampton, Indian captain Virat Kohli has said that his side failed to drive home the advantage in the first innings and this cost them the game. 

India had England 6 down in the first innings for just 86 runs, but then Sam Curran stepped up and played a counter-attacking innings and brought England back.

In their own first essay, India looked good to take a substantial lead over England, but the batting wilted against Moeen Ali. Pujara's heroics could take only a slender lead of 27 runs.

'We couldn't capitalise on the good start'

"In the first innings we were in a good position, me and Puji (Cheteshwar Pujara) had a good partnership. We couldn't capitalise on that. Getting a lead of 30-odd with Pujara batting through, showed all the batsmen until the lower order that we could have gotten a bigger lead. That's the only thing I can think of in this game," Kohli said after the match.

Another big point of difference in the game was the bowling form of R Ashwin who was completely outbowled by Moeen Ali. While Ashwin could pick only the solitary wicket in the second innings when the pitch looked conducive for him, Moeen bagged four wickets to send India packing.

"Ashwin tried his best. He bowled a lot of overs. He pitched the ball in the right areas. He didn't get the results he would have intended but we all go out there to give our best effort. No one wants to not do well. In some innings, it doesn't come off," Kohli reflected.

The captain also wants his team to identify key moments and not let them drift away. He has urged his side to reflect on the loss and learn from the mistakes. 

The fifth and final Test begins at the Oval on September 7.