The Proteas fell short by eight runs in a pulsating Test match, finishing at 450 for seven, while chasing 458 for victory at Wanderers.
"Everyone was pretty shocked honestly, we didn't think that they would stop going for the score because with eight runs an over and with Philander striking the ball pretty well and he can bat, we have seen that in the past," Kohli, who was adjudged Man-of-the-match for scoring 215 runs in two innings, said.
"In the end, it was a very enjoyable Test match. It was a fair finish for this Test match. The way this match has been played over the last four days, pretty competitive with both teams coming back pretty strongly in one session or the other, it was a fair finish," Kohli added, outlining team India's happiness at the draw achieved.
India were denied by Faff du Plessis and AB de Villiers as they shared a 205 run partnership for the fifth wicket. Both batsmen went on to complete their respective hundreds as South Africa edged closer to the win. But their dismissal changed the match.