Birmingham: India captain Virat Kohli dismissed Saturday, the speculated rift with Anil Kumble, stating that there were ‘no problems’ with the chief coach and the entire episode was nothing but rumours.
“There are a lot speculations and lot of things being written by people without actually being part of the change room which is quite strange. There are no problems whatsoever,” Kohli was curt while addressing the media ahead of the Champions Trophy opener against arch rivals Pakistan here.
When the question was rephrased by another scribe about how his journey with Kumble has been through the past year, Kohli answered with an equally deadpan expression. “It’s been really good. The whole journey has been good,” he informed.
Kohli described the team as a family where disagreements can happen. “It’s normal to have disagreements, even at home, not everybody agrees on everything. It’s human nature. When you don’t know about something completely, don’t spread rumours and speculate, just focus on cricket,” he was terse in his answers.
When the questions turned about the ipcoming game Sunday, he predictably, termed Pakistan as just another rival.
“I don’t think any other team put a price on just one game. We take the same mindset to every game that we play for India, the mindset does not change,” Kohli pointed out.
Kohli also termed the worry about getting a perfect bowling combination
in place as a ‘good headache’ to have going into game against Pakistan.
“There are all kinds of possibilities – two spinners, two fast bowlers, three fast bowlers, Hardik and a spinner. So we will see what the wicket is like and what we feel is going to match up well against the opposition. The intensity was right up there (during warm-ups), and that’s something that was really nice to see for me as a captain. It’s a good headache to have,” stated Kohli smiling for the first time during the press conference.
Kohli however, agreed that since India do not play Pakistan regularly, there could be an element of surprise but players should be equipped to react to the situation.
“As a team, I think, yeah, they (Pakistan) can surprise you because, as you said, you don’t play against them so much. But we are aware of their abilities,” he pointed out. “However, as I have said before, it is not a question of us focusing on them, we are intent on displaying our strengths to the best of our abilities, give it our 100 per cent,” he added.
Press Trust of India