Mirpur: Stand-in captain Virat Kohli lauded the big-hearted performance of his boys while defending a mediocre 246-run target but also admitted that they have made multiple mistakes in past few matches leading to the team's downfall.
"We are making three-four mistakes in a game which is becoming costly in the end. But people learn from mistakes. Hope, we don't repeat our mistakes."
"Despite being short on experience, the team showed a lot of character on the field as well as with the bowling. I'm proud of my team," Kohli said as India suffered their second consecutive defeat to be on the verge of being eliminated from the Asia Cup.
Kohli also praised veteran leggie Amit Mishra for his efforts with ball having made it to the playing XI after a long time and also said that it's not a "shock" that his team won't play the finals in all likelihood.
"I'm not shocked at all... I'm proud of the boys and the way they fought while defending such a small total. Sometimes, you can get away in T20s but in ODIs you have to show a lot of character. Mishra just gave away 28 runs. It was a commendable effort by every one in the team."
Pakistan almost choked in their chase before Shahid Afridi hit an 18-ball 34 not out including two sixes from two balls to pull off a thriller.
Pakistan needed 10 runs from last five balls with one wicket in hand and Afridi smashed two sixes off Ashwin to complete the chase.
"The plan was to take the risk and hope he mistimes one. But the credit goes to him (Afridi). He cleared the boundary two or three times and they won.
"Afridi is always a big hitter and we thought if we could bowl a carrom ball and if he mistimed it, we could have a match in our hands," Kohli explained.
It was Mishra's two for 28 that had turned the game in favour of India before Pakistan finally snatched it from them.
Lavishing praise on Mishra, Kohli said: "I have always been impressed by Amit Mishra. He is an attacking bowler who always like to have an extra fielder inside even with a small target to defend. He was brilliant with the ball."
Known to show a lot of temper, Kohli is showing little emotions as captain and he said it's about getting matured.
"It's more to do with the number of games that I've played than others. It's about having composure in different situations. That's how you learn. Even the guys respond to my ideas.
"It's good to be captaining out there in the middle. Everyone is giving their 100 percent. I'm learning every game and using resources with best of our ability."
India now have only a mathematical chance to make the final and Kohli said they're just keeping their fingers crossed.
"We will just try and put a bonus point win. By March 4, we will know. We are just looking to improve every game."
India conclude the league stage taking on minnows Afghanistan on March 2.
© ndtv
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