We didn't perform 'good enough' with the bat: Kohli

Guwahati (Assam) [India], Oct. 11 (ANI): Indian skipper Virat Kohli admitted that his team's performance with the bat was just not good enough during his side's eight-wicket defeat to Australia at Guwahati's Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

"Not the performance we wished for. Australia were much better on the day. I don't think we were good enough with the bat. The wicket was bit sticking to start with. It was difficult for them as well, but after the dew set in, they got away," Kohli said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Left-arm pacer Jason Behrendorff's four-wicket burst sparked an Indian collapse and the Men in Blue could manage only 118 in their allotted 20 overs.

Chasing a target of 119, the visitors crossed the line in just 15.3 overs for the series-levelling win.

Behrendorff, who didn't have a particularly memorable debut in the first T20I, came steaming in and despite Rohit Sharma hitting two boundaries in his first over, he trapped him in front off the fourth ball.

Kohli lasted two balls before Behrendorff snaffled him next for a duck.

A breathless first over for Behrendorff was then followed by a wicket in each of his second and third overs. Manish Pandey nicked one behind, while Shikhar Dhawan, targeting the long-on boundary, was unlucky to find Warner take a running catch. India 27 for 4, all the wickets taken by one man.

Kohli heaped praise on Behrendorff, saying he bowled on good line and lengths.

"I thought the ball to Rohit was very good. His line and length was very tight. He made us think. Credit to him for hitting the right areas. He definitely had a top class day today," said Kohli.

The two teams will now lock horns in the series decider to be played on October 13 in Hyderabad. (ANI)