England captain Andrew Flintoff said his team's inability to put up a good first-innings total proved costly in the second Test against India, at the PCA stadium in Mohali.
Despite rain washing out four sessions in the match, India cantered to a nine-wicket victory on Monday to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
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"It was a tricky situation last night. We had lost five wickets and it was always going to be tough to get out from that."
Flintoff shrugged off suggestions of increased captaincy responsibility and said he wasn't any more tired than he would be when he was only bowling and batting.
But despite the loss, he expressed confidence that his side would be competitive in Mumbai during the third Test.
"I am happy with the way the guys have responded. We are a young side and have done well to compete with a world-class side like India so far.
"We will have to fight it out in Mumbai. Rally around a bit and come to the party collectively in Mumbai next week," he said.
The England all-rounder, who scored vital half-centuries in both the innings in Mohali, was also impressed with left-arm spinner Monty Panesar. Monty, the first Sikh to play for England, was the flavour of the town during the match.
"We are very happy with the progress Monty's making; he's improving all the time. Obviously it is a tough task for him to come out and bowl here, against the Indian batsmen. You can't compare him to Indian spinners, one of whom has taken 500 Test wickets and the other with so much experience too."
Flintoff shied away from going in with any pre-conceived notions about the Mumbai wicket and said they will look to give India a tough fight in the third Test also.
