Kohli: Draw won't damage India

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Virat Kohli says Sunday's draw with South Africa in a test India should have won, but ended up nearly losing, won't damage the young touring team's confidence.

If anything, Kohli says India's mood is "brilliant" after dominating the first four days of the series-opener.

Kohli said "everyone's confident" ahead of the second test in Durban starting Thursday and "if you asked me two months back if you could play a match like this first match in South Africa, I'd take it hands down."

Kohli scored 119 and 96 to help make India favorite for victory before South Africa battled for a draw, and finished just short of a shock win.

Kohli described India's team as "a group of smart cricketers who are inexperienced but very desperate and hungry to perform."