Virat Kohli has defended the strategy of playing four fast bowlers and no specialist spinner after India succumbed to a 146-run defeat to Australia in the second Test match of the four-match 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy whose scoreline reads 1-1.

It was only the third time in 25 years that India went into a Test without a frontline spinner. It was a baffling strategy given Australia's off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed eight wickets in the match, including 5-67 in the first innings. Kohli defended the selection, stating the pitch had played exactly the way the team believed it would play and Australia playing better cricket led to India's defeat.