'Middle-overs batting cost us the game, but was a good series win': Captain Kohli after 3rd T20I

Skipper Virat Kohli was delighted with the series win, beating Australia in Australia, although was a tad disappointed with the loss in the final game of the three-match T20I series in Sydney.

Virat himself played an excellent knock of 85 (61), but couldn't get his team over the line as Austrlia got one over the men in blue by 12 runs.

When asked if they could have won game and he could have got a century, Virat said, "[It's] T20 cricket, you have to take your chances. At one stage, when Hardik started going we thought we could pull it off. And then, we found out that we had bit too much to do in the end."

'Middle-over batting made chase too steep'

India lost three wickets in quick succession. After a 74-run partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli himself, India were on course but losing three wickets inside 26 runs, pegged them back as they needed 87 runs to win
in the last seven overs, after being on 100-4.

Talking about the point where he thought they lost the match, Kohli said, "The middle over phase while we were batting was the phase that cost us the game. If we have had one partnership of 25 or 30 (runs), that means Hardik comes in when we need less than 60 and not 80-plus. That way, his job becomes easier.'

'Series win, a nice asterick to end limited-overs in 2020'

After two diappointing outings in Sydney in the ODI series, India fought well to first avoid a whitewash in the 50-over match series and now winning two games of the shortest format on the trot to win the T20I series, albeit losing the final game.

Talking about the comeback and what it means to win a series against Australia on their home soil, Kohli said, "We have shown throughout the limited series that , we kept finding ways to come back into the game and opposition
a scare and the series win is a nice little asterisk for us - finishing the limited-overs leg of 2020 on a high.

'Crowds were the difference, we as players feed off their energy'

Elaborating on the quality of cricket on the show in the limited-overs series, according to Virat, crowd was a huge factor in bringing the excitement and energy into the games.

"I feel the crowd was a factor as well, it's great that we can play in front of the crowds here in Australia, that just gives you another dimension of motivation, when you are in a tough situation. Our fans pulled us through
a couple of times, Australia has got a great support here, as well.

So, I think as players you love riding that momentum and energy from the crowds and that's why you have seen exciting games so far. When crowds are there, it's a different atmosphere and we as players feed of that," he added.

'We'll have to be more competitive against a much stronger Australian test side'

Facing a stern test in Australia in the test-matches from next week, Virat said that they'll want to ride on this momentum into the test series.

"We need to take the same competitiveness into the Test series and as a batsman, you need to be much more disciplined. Having played in Australia a few times before you have to understand, that it's a place where you can score runs as well and you need to put your team in front when you have the opportunity.

"You have to buy your time against a quality bowling attack and once it's time to capitalize then you make sure that you take that momentum into that session try and take away the game from the opposition.

"We'll have to be competitive, they're way stronger side this time around (compared to last time where they were without Warner and Smith), so we have to be strong in our head and have the belief that we can go on and ride this momentum and take it into the test series," he added.

Kohli, however, was unsure of playing the practice tour game starting on December 11. He said said he will have a chat with the physio, the next morning and if he keeps well, he will be available and if not, he'll try to be fresh and ready for the Adelaide game starting December 17.