Virat Kohli doffed his hat to New Zealand after India lost a thrilling semi-final at Old Trafford on Wednesday to be knocked out of the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Chasing 240, India folded for 221 despite a heroic 77 from Ravindra Jadeja.

India lost their second successive World Cup semi-final while New Zealand qualified for their second successive World Cup final. At the end, India's middle-order was exposed after Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul failed together for the first time in the 2019 World Cup.

Virat Kohli had led from the front with 5 successive half-centuries in the World Cup but he was done in by Trent Boult in overcast conditions. Ravindra Jadeja hit 77 and MS Dhoni hit 50 to keep India in the game but once they departed, it was the endgame for the Indians.

Virat Kohli said India were good in the first half of the game which was played across two days thanks to the rain. India's bowlers did well to keep New Zealand to 239 for 8 but their batsmen fell short on the reserve day.

"The first half, we were very, very good. We got what we needed at that point. We thought we had restricted New Zealand to a chaseable score but the way they come out with the ball was what made the difference," Virat Kohli said at the post match presentation ceremony.

Virat Kohli lauded New Zealand's bowlers for their skillset and also heaped praise on Jadeja for a memorable knock under pressure.

"I think it was the skill level on display was there for all to see.

"Jadeja had a really good couple of games and it's his performances that are a huge positive. New Zealand deserve it, they put us under more pressure," he said.

Virat Kohli rued the shot selection by his batsmen and said New Zealand deserved to win because they soaked in the pressure better.

"At times, I think our shot-selection could have been better. Really proud of the way we competed throughout the tournament.

"As I said, come the knockouts, New Zealand were braver than us and deserve to win," Kohli said.