press trust of india
Chennai, August 1: Not really worried about his lack of form, India Test skipper Virat Kohli stated Saturday that he need not curb his natural instincts as he has always batted with ‘responsibility’.
Asked if he needed to curb his aggressive approach, the batsman
responded with a firm no. “As a batsman I have always been responsible with the way I play my cricket and it comes from wanting to win the game for the team every time I play. So I don’t think I need to change too much in that aspect. I think that is one of the major reasons that the board thought that I could be the man to take up responsibility for the team,” Kohli was quoted as saying by ‘bcci.tv’.
Talking about the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which comprises three Tests, Kohli said he is looking forward to lead India for the first time in a full-fledged series.
“It’s basically my first full
assignment as Test captain. So it will be a new challenge for me and the whole team because we have such a young squad and many new
players are looking to build their
careers,” he pointed out.
“It is an exciting challenge to start together as a new unit. Everyone is happy and putting in all the efforts required, to perform well in Sri Lanka. I am certain if we prepare well and have the right kind of vision, we will do really well,” Kohli added.
Talking about individual players of the Sri Lanka-bound squad, Kohli praised opener Murali Vijay. “He (Murali Vijay) has always been a very solid opener for India. The best thing about him is that he is mentally very strong. He has lots of patience, a very solid character and is very sure of himself and of his game,” Kohli pointed out. “In Tests he has been very solid for us, especially after the pair of (Virender) Sehwag and (Gautam) Gambhir.
The Indian Test skipper was also all praise for Ajinkya Rahane and comeback man Harbhajan Singh. “The best thing about Jinks (Rahane’s nickname) is that he is a 100 per cent man in whatever he does. Be it batting, fielding… he is fully committed. He is willing to do anything for the team,” stated Kohli.
“Bhajji bhai (Harbhajan) will have a crucial role to play in Sri Lanka keeping in mind his experience. He has been a match-winner for India in the past. I think all our spinners are in very good form going into the Test series against Sri Lanka,” Kohli stated.
