India captain Virat Kohli's decision to bat first against South Africa in the third and final Twenty20 International backfired but the 30-year-old says the hosts want to prepare for next year's Twenty20 World Cup by minimising the impact of the toss.

It was the first time in seven T20Is at the Chinnaswamy Stadium that the captain winning the toss chose to bat, only for a revamped South Africa to claim a series-levelling nine-wicket win on Sunday.

"Nothing is a given or a guarantee before you start playing," Kohli told reporters.

"I think if we as a team are willing to get out of our comfort zones a lot more, then we will be unfazed with what happens at the toss.

"Unless you do that and start taking those risks, you are always going to be put under pressure somewhere or the other. We want to make sure we iron all of those things out before we head into the World Cup."

India failed to capitalise on an aggressive start and ended with a below-par 134 for 9.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia in Oct. 2020, Kohli's top priority is to recalibrate India's batting combinations in the shortest format.

"You have to understand as well that it's a very young side, you have to give them time as a team to come together," he added.

"We batted till nine tonight, and that's one area we're looking to strengthen."

India's focus now shifts to the three-match Test series against South Africa, with the opening match in Visakhapatnam starting Oct. 2.

India captain Virat Kohli's decision to bat first against South Africa in the third and final Twenty20 International backfired but the 30-year-old says the hosts want to prepare for next year's Twenty20 World Cup by minimising the impact of the toss.

India captain Virat Kohli's decision to bat first against South Africa in the third and final Twenty20 International backfired but the 30-year-old says the hosts want to prepare for next year's Twenty20 World Cup by minimising the impact of the toss. It was the first time in seven T20Is at the Chinnaswamy Stadium that the captain winning the toss chose to bat, only for a revamped South Africa to claim a series-levelling nine-wicket win on Sunday. "Nothing is a given or a guarantee before you start playing," Kohli told reporters. "I think if we as a team are willing to get out of our comfort zones a lot more, then we will be unfazed with what happens at the toss. "Unless you do that and start taking those risks, you are always going to be put under pressure somewhere or the other. We want to make sure we iron all of those things out before we head into the World Cup." India failed to capitalise on an aggressive start and ended with a below-par 134 for 9. Ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia in Oct. 2020, Kohli's top priority is to recalibrate India's batting combinations in the shortest format. "You have to understand as well that it's a very young side, you have to give them time as a team to come together," he added. "We batted till nine tonight, and that's one area we're looking to strengthen." India's focus now shifts to the three-match Test series against South Africa, with the opening match in Visakhapatnam starting Oct. 2.

Virat Kohli wants India to step out of comfort zone ahead of World T20

The Indian women's cricket coach Ramesh Powar Wednesday conceded to having a "strained" relationship with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/few-people-in-power-are-out-to-destroy-me-says-mithali-raj-179751">senior player Mithali Raj</a> but insisted that her contentious dropping from the World T20 semifinal was based solely on cricketing logic, a Board official has claimed.&nbsp;

Powar met BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and GM (Cricket Operations), Saba Karim, a day after he was accused of bias by Mithali. He met the two Board officials at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.

The seniormost batswoman of the Indian team, in a scathing e-mail to Johri and Karim, alleged that Powar humiliated her during the World T20 in the West Indies and she was left in tears after the axing from the team.

"Ramesh admitted that his professional relationship with Mithali was strained as he always found her aloof and difficult to handle," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

However, the official said Powar insisted that Mithali's axing from the semifinal, which India lost to England by eight wickets, was based on strategy and not acrimony.

"He maintained that it was due to poor strike rate that she was dropped against England and also because the team management wanted to maintain a winning combination," the official said.

It is learnt that the former spinner, who took over as interim coach a few months ago, did admit to being "indifferent to the seniormost player".

Powar was asked why Mithali's strike rate didn't come in the way of her selection for the games against Ireland and Pakistan, he had no response to offer.

Mithali scored half-centuries in both the games and was adjudged Player of the Match.&nbsp;

Another aspect that came up for discussion was if there was any "external pressure" to drop Mithali from any influential official.

The source said Powar denied receiving calls from anybody but claimed to be aware of one "powerful individual in the BCCI" being in touch with team manager (Trupti Bhattacharya) and tour selector (Sudha Shah).

On Tuesday, Mithali had also accused Committee of Administrators member Diana Edulji of bias. The ODI captain stated that Edulji used her position against her and made her feel vulnerable.&nbsp;

Edulji has not yet reacted to the allegations made by Mithali.

The 40-year-old Powar's interim tenure comes to an end on Friday.

Even though he will be free to apply for the post when fresh applications are invited, there is little chance that he will be retained as his player management skills have come under scanner due to this incident.&nbsp;

The Indian women's cricket coach Ramesh Powar Wednesday conceded to having a "strained" relationship with senior player Mithali Raj but insisted that her contentious dropping from the World T20 semifinal was based solely on cricketing logic, a Board official has claimed.

The Indian women's cricket coach Ramesh Powar Wednesday conceded to having a "strained" relationship with senior player Mithali Raj but insisted that her contentious dropping from the World T20 semifinal was based solely on cricketing logic, a Board official has claimed. Powar met BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and GM (Cricket Operations), Saba Karim, a day after he was accused of bias by Mithali. He met the two Board officials at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. The seniormost batswoman of the Indian team, in a scathing e-mail to Johri and Karim, alleged that Powar humiliated her during the World T20 in the West Indies and she was left in tears after the axing from the team. "Ramesh admitted that his professional relationship with Mithali was strained as he always found her aloof and difficult to handle," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. However, the official said Powar insisted that Mithali's axing from the semifinal, which India lost to England by eight wickets, was based on strategy and not acrimony. "He maintained that it was due to poor strike rate that she was dropped against England and also because the team management wanted to maintain a winning combination," the official said. It is learnt that the former spinner, who took over as interim coach a few months ago, did admit to being "indifferent to the seniormost player". Powar was asked why Mithali's strike rate didn't come in the way of her selection for the games against Ireland and Pakistan, he had no response to offer. Mithali scored half-centuries in both the games and was adjudged Player of the Match. Another aspect that came up for discussion was if there was any "external pressure" to drop Mithali from any influential official. The source said Powar denied receiving calls from anybody but claimed to be aware of one "powerful individual in the BCCI" being in touch with team manager (Trupti Bhattacharya) and tour selector (Sudha Shah). On Tuesday, Mithali had also accused Committee of Administrators member Diana Edulji of bias. The ODI captain stated that Edulji used her position against her and made her feel vulnerable. Edulji has not yet reacted to the allegations made by Mithali. The 40-year-old Powar's interim tenure comes to an end on Friday. Even though he will be free to apply for the post when fresh applications are invited, there is little chance that he will be retained as his player management skills have come under scanner due to this incident.

Mithali was 'aloof, difficult to handle': Powar tells BCCI committee

&nbsp;

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has offered words of comfort to his die-hard fans, still coming to terms with his decision to sign off as India captain, with an assurance that he would continue to play the aggressive brand of cricket.

Having relinquished limited overs captaincy after leading India to two World Cup triumphs during an eventful tenure that spanned nearly a decade, Dhoni captained the Men in Blue for one last time in a warm-up game against England.

The perfect finish may have eluded him, as his team lost by three wickets, but Dhoni, in a video chat with Yuvraj Singh, assured that he would continue to hit those trademark sixes, if they are to be hit.

&quot;If they bowl in my areas, the right areas and the situation permits I would look to hit sixes,&quot; Dhoni said in the video chat with teammate Yuvraj.&nbsp;Dhoni&#39;s stint at the helm had more ups than downs, and he called it amazing.

&quot;The journey has been good, fantastic.&nbsp;It&#39;s good to have players like you (looking at Yuvraj), the job becomes much more easier. And enjoyed my 10 years, hopefully I will enjoy more whatever I have.&quot;

Referring to Yuvraj&#39;s six consecutive sixes in the inaugural World T20, Dhoni said, &quot;Thanks to you I witnessed the six sixes from the best seat.&quot;&nbsp;Dhoni was at the non-striker&#39;s end while Yuvraj bludgeoned Stuart Broad.

Yuvraj posted the video on social media after the match got over in which he asked a couple of very interesting questions to Dhoni, who answered each question in his typical manner.

Paying a tribute to his former skipper, Yuvraj said, &quot;You have been one of the best captains ever. It&#39;s been amazing playing under you, winning three big championships, the World Cup and being the number one Test team in the world under you.&nbsp;Thanks for giving me the opportunity to go and slog as always.&quot;

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has assured fans that he would continue to play aggressive brand of cricket.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has offered words of comfort to his die-hard fans, still coming to terms with his decision to sign off as India captain, with an assurance that he would continue to play the aggressive brand of cricket. Having relinquished limited overs captaincy after leading India to two World Cup triumphs during an eventful tenure that spanned nearly a decade, Dhoni captained the Men in Blue for one last time in a warm-up game against England. The perfect finish may have eluded him, as his team lost by three wickets, but Dhoni, in a video chat with Yuvraj Singh, assured that he would continue to hit those trademark sixes, if they are to be hit. "If they bowl in my areas, the right areas and the situation permits I would look to hit sixes," Dhoni said in the video chat with teammate Yuvraj. Dhoni's stint at the helm had more ups than downs, and he called it amazing. "The journey has been good, fantastic. It's good to have players like you (looking at Yuvraj), the job becomes much more easier. And enjoyed my 10 years, hopefully I will enjoy more whatever I have." Referring to Yuvraj's six consecutive sixes in the inaugural World T20, Dhoni said, "Thanks to you I witnessed the six sixes from the best seat." Dhoni was at the non-striker's end while Yuvraj bludgeoned Stuart Broad. Yuvraj posted the video on social media after the match got over in which he asked a couple of very interesting questions to Dhoni, who answered each question in his typical manner. Paying a tribute to his former skipper, Yuvraj said, "You have been one of the best captains ever. It's been amazing playing under you, winning three big championships, the World Cup and being the number one Test team in the world under you. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to go and slog as always."

I will always look to hit sixes: Dhoni

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Virat Kohli wants India to step out of comfort zone ahead of World T20

Mithali was 'aloof, difficult to handle': Powar tells BCCI committee

I will always look to hit sixes: Dhoni