Playing competitive cricket will be the mantra for India and skipper Virat Kohli when they square off against England in the three-match T20I series.

On the eve of the opening T20 clash at Old Trafford in Manchester, the Indian skipper emphasised the importance of winning crucial moments of play.

“We expect England to come hard at us. We certainly want to play positive cricket. It is going to be an exciting series for sure. We believe we have the side to put up a great fight. If we win the crucial moments then anything can happen on the day,” Kohli said at the pre-series press conference on Monday.

“As I said, in T20 cricket you have to be at your absolute best since the game is so short and you don’t have second chances. But, we are pretty confident as a side,” he added.

Refusing to set any specific targets ahead of the series, Kohli spoke about his desire to continue to lead the team from the front.

“I am certainly not expecting or putting any targets at such. I just want the team to play good cricket here and I want to be able to lead from the front. That’s always been my mindset since the time I have been captain,” the 29-year-old stated.

“I just want the team to play well and myself to contribute as well, as much as I can. Nothing changes here for me, it is just a set of international matches and the mindset remains the same.”

Both the teams come into the series on the back of some impressive results. While India blew away Ireland in the two T20s, hosts England ran all over Australia by winning all six limited-overs clashes.