T20 World Cup: We weren't brave enough, says Virat Kohli

Bumrah says batters took risks early to provide cushion for bowlers
This Indian team has been accused of wilting under pressure in big knockout games. Sunday's defeat against New Zealand has pushed them to the brink in this T20 World Cup and the tension in the camp was evident from the moment skipper Virat Kohli lost the toss.

"We need to be brutal here. I don't think we were brave enough with the bat or ball. Didn't have much to defend but we weren't brave when we walked out to the field. New Zealand had more intensity," a curt Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"When you play for the Indian cricket team you have a lot of expectations - not just from fans, but players as well. Everyone who plays for India has to embrace it. And when you cope together as a team you overcome it and we haven't done it these two games. Just because you're the Indian team and there are expectations doesn't mean you start playing differently," he added.

Jasprit Bumrah, however, claimed that it was communicated to the batters they had to provide a cushion of 15-20 runs for the bowlers. "As a bowler, I don't teach them how to bat. The discussion was that batters would attack to give the bowlers a cushion and in doing that I believe we attacked a bit too early. Longer boundaries came into play and they used the slower balls quite well. Also singles were not there and they went for high risk shots," Bumrah said.
He also pointed out that the length balls were not holding on the pitch in the second innings and that's why the Kiwi batters could play the pick-up pulls unlike the Indian batters.
'Bubble fatigue is a factor'
Bumrah also conceded that it gets tough mentally staying and playing in bubbles. The Indian team has been on the road for five months. "You absolutely need a break from bubbles. But that's how things are. There's a pandemic going on. But it gets tough in bubbles. If you have to do the same thing over and over again. Having said that, the BCCI has taken good care of us," he remarked.