Adelaide, Dec 13 (IANS): India's stand-in skipper Virat Kohli, who scored twin centuries in the first Test, Saturday said he's 'a little bit hurt but proud' of his team's effort after coming close to chasing down Australia's 364-run target but losing by 48 runs.

The 26-year-old Kohli led a bold run chase on the final day at the Adelaide Oval with a sublime 141 to raise hopes of an incredible Indian win. But India lost eight wickets in the final session to get bowled out for 315.

"If we were able to pull this off, today would have been one of the most special moments in my life. But I'm really proud of the way the boys played," Kohli was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au Saturday.

"(I am) a little bit hurt because of the fact that we couldn't cross the line when it looked pretty bright for us".

India batted positively on a fifth day wicket before Nathan Lyon’s guile proved too hot to handle.

"At no point did we back off. And we are not going to back off either. If you see cricket like this for the rest of the series, it's in the balance. The guys are believing that," Kohli, who had scored 115 in the first innings, said.

"And unless you believe in something, there's no chance of achieving it. If at any stage that we had in mind that we might play for a draw, we would have lost by 150 runs, to be honest. So we went for it. That is what I am happy about."

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who missed the series opener because of a hairline fracture in his right thumb, will return to captain the visitors for the second Test in Brisbane starting Wednesday.

"I would be very happy that he is going to be fit and available for the second Test. It doesn't matter if I have the 'c' in front of my name or not. That doesn't change anything as far as my mindset is concerned," Kohli said.

"I have enough friendship and enough respect between the team that I can go and speak to them every now and then and keep them on the same page. That is my responsibility, that is something I will look to do even if I'm not captain."