Calcutta/London: Virat Kohli loves leading from the front and has the makings of a successful captain. At The Oval on Saturday, he showed all the promise of another big innings until edging a flashy drive to second slip off Ben Stokes for 49.

After England galloped to reach 332 in their first innings, India ended the second day at 174 for six with debutant Hanuma Vihari unbeaten on 25.

The India captain has so far accumulated 593 runs from nine innings in the series at an average of 65.88. Kohli though is ready to own up mistakes.

In an interview with Michael Holding on SonyLiv channel, Virat said: "I am always focused on where my mistakes are and how I can improve upon them. I am willing to accept mistakes even in the best of times so that I can keep on improving.

"It's important for the team that my mindset stays good so that I can lead from the front, and if I am only thinking about my performances, then I am not doing justice to the responsibility that I am given."

Having stamped his authority and broken a plethora of records on this tour, Kohli said numbers were inconsequential to him.

"I didn't start playing to have numbers and they are inconsequential. People remember your attitude and what you brought on to the field," he said. He cited the example of Vivian Richards in this regard.

"When you talk about the great West Indies side (of 70s and 80s), no one talks about Sir Viv's average, they talk about his attitude and the charisma he brought on to the field... How he inspired people.

"So I see this as a greater responsibility in the position that I am put by that power (Almighty) to inspire people... For that I need to do the right things," Kohli said.

Asked how he handles pressures on and off the field, Kohli, who is a couple months shy of his 30th birthday, said that he doesn't care about perceptions.

"I am more focused on having a very solid life, being happy with life and doing the right things on a daily basis and then everything else seems to be an enjoyable journey as a part of the larger process," he said.

"For me, the larger picture is always going to be life... If I am solid and doing the right things, then I am much more confident on the field. I don't play for perceptions, for people or for reputation... I only play to make the team win and that's why I started playing the sport."

Kohli admitted that it did "hurt" losing matches from position of dominance.

"This was a competitive series and we have already understood and admitted the things that we haven't done well. That's something we are keen to improve on as to get into competitive positions, you understand that you have the ability.

"But ability only takes you to a certain extent and then your mental toughness comes into play when you have to win Test series in difficult conditions and difficult countries, something that we aspire to do," he said.

"When you don't do that being in winning positions, obviously it hurts more than anything. Probably, that's frustrating, we have shown the skill sets to get into winning positions and not capitalise on them. Try and get better as a team... Provided we are mentally tougher than opposition in difficult situations."

Kohli didn't forget to praise his bowlers for their lion-hearted performances throughout the series.

"It's nothing but hard work as these guys want to be the best bowlers in the world and I am proud to see that as captain. When you see these guys running and bowling in partnerships, it's a beautiful feeling that you are not trying to outdo anyone else but you are trying to take 10 wickets for the team. That's what these guys have shown," he said.

"They have bowled with hearts on all five days of Test cricket... At 6:15 pm in the evening, (Mohammed) Shami is bowling 90 miles per hour, Ishant (Sharma) running all day...

"They have worked on their fitness and strength. They have been honest with their preparations," he explained.

Kohli questioned the "utility" of pre-series tour games if the touring side is not provided with ideal conditions and opposition before a Test series.

India have lost back-to-back Test series in South Africa and England with many former greats, including legendary Sunil Gavaskar questioning as to why the team did not play adequate number of warm-up games. Kohli gave his point of view on the raging debate.

"A lot of people talk about tour games but where are those tour games happening and against what quality of bowling are very important questions to be asked," Kohli said.

"Because if you don't get the preparation, you need before a Test series, then it is actually not utilised well... Time is not utilised well if you don't get the quality of opposition that you will face in Test cricket."

Asked where exactly India went wrong in the ongoing series against England, Kohli pointed out two crucial phases - the second innings at Edgbaston (first Test) and the first innings at Southampton (fourth Test).

"Sitting right now, two things... The second innings in Birmingham and first innings at Southampton. Sitting here, I am not thinking of anything else.

"The key was to make the team win and twice I could have contributed more.

"I know Trent Bridge was great but I remember second innings at Birmingham and first innings at Southampton and I am thinking about that. I am thinking so that if I am in the same position once again, I won't let the team down," the Indian captain said.