We've to step up and produce a consistent show, says Kohli

It has been sometime since India have found themselves at the threshold of wrapping up a series win.

Now, when the opportunity has finally presented itself, the hosts would not like to waste time in going for the kill.

Virat Kolhi echoed the same sentiments when he said they were taking it to be the last match of the series.

“After you lose the first game in the series, you have to treat every game with that sort of mindset and go out and try and win the game and that’s what we will be trying to do tomorrow,” Kohli told reporters.

“This game is really very important. We have to step up and put up a consistent show tomorrow. So we have to gear (ourselves) up and stay relaxed.”

The bowling had been the high point of India in the series, and Kohli felt it was time the batsmen complemented the bowlers.“Now that we have done well in the last two games as a batting unit, we hope to continue the same.

The bowling unit has done well in the last three games and it’s important that the batting complements that.” Kohli predicted the first 10 overs would be crucial on the wicket here. “It’s always been a lively wicket with a hard surface and a little bit of grass on it.

It helps the bowlers a bit early on, and with the two new balls coming in, it is going to be even more challenging for the top order batsmen. The first ten overs from each side are going to be crucial,” he said.

The Delhi batsman was finally among runs with an unbeaten 77 off 79 balls at Ranchi but said he was never too worried about his form.

"No one can keep scoring consistently for a period of over 16 month. There is always a balance in international cricket where you will get a phase where you won’t score in four-five games and you just got to keep yourself calm at that point in time.

“It was a bit annoying for me because I was not getting out making too many mistakes. I got a few good balls in the last series and made two mistakes in this series. So it is all about working hard in the nets regularly and staying patient. ”

England’s James Tredwell said they were taking  inspiration from their win in the first game in Rajkot. “That we can lose the series is in the back of our minds but I think if you look forward to the result too quickly, then you take your eye off the process.

I guess we are just going into the game trying to execute our skills as best as we can and if we do that and perform like we did in the first game, there is every chance we can turn them over,” he said.