The opening ODI of the three-match series saw Australia take 1-0 lead over India by 66 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday (November 27). This is India's fourth successive ODI defeat - the first time since January 2016 they have lost four in a row.
While the Aussie batsmen put up a mammoth target of 375 after opting to bat, the Indians could not reach the target despite efforts from Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya.
Talking about the loss, the Indian skipper said that there is no excuse and 'if you don't take your chances against a top-quality opposition they'll make you pay'.
"We got enough time to prepare and don't think there can be any excuses. Probably the first long game we've played in a while, been playing T20 cricket. Probably that's something that can have an effect. Body language wasn't great after around 25 overs. If you don't take your chances against a top-quality opposition they'll make you pay".
Kohli also spoke about all-rounder Pandya only batting. He said, " Unfortunately Hardik is not fit enough to bowl, and we don't have other all-round options to pick from either, someone like Stoinis or Maxwell".
Talking about India's below-par batting Kohli said they are committed to positive cricket and will be doing that in the future as well.
"From the batting point of view, we had a chat briefly now. All the batsmen committed to it which is why you saw us playing with intent. I think we gave ourselves the best chance. Hardik's innings was the best example of that. As a batting unit we committed nicely to positive cricket and we are going to do that in the future as well," he concluded.
The second ODI will be played at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) as well on November 29 at 9:10 AM IST.