Adelaide, Jan 16 (UNI) Virat Kohli has laid out his vision for the Indian team, saying
he wants them to be a superpower in the sport, and that the size of India’s fanbase
could make Test cricket great again.
Earlier this month, Kohli became the first Indian captain to lead a side to a Test series
victory in Australia. His sides impressed in preceding tours to South Africa and England
as well.
Kohli isn’t satiated though. He won’t rest till India attain absolute domination on the
field.
“I wouldn't say goal but I would rather speak of a vision, which is for India to be a
superpower in Test cricket or a very, very strong side in Test cricket in the years to
come,” he told a Sports channel
“I think if Indian cricket respects Test cricket, and Indian players respect Test cricket,
then Test cricket will stay at the top because of the fan base that we have all over the
world," Kohli said.
“If we focus too much on shorter formats – yes, they're important – but if we solely
focus and look at them as an escape or an excuse to not be in the kind of situations
that Test cricket presents to you, then there'll start being a mental problem with the
cricketers coming up,” he said,
Kohli believed to reach that end, it was imperative for the team culture to be
maintained and passed on to next generations, an ICC report said.
“As long as you're willing to wake up every morning for five days and do the hard
yards and go do the dirty work – if you're willing to bat for two hours and not score
a run for the team – that is what people should prepare (for),” he said.
“That will require the team to lay out certain things that needs to be done and for
the next lot to keep following. So the next lot that comes in, they have to maintain
that vision and then the people coming in will follow," the India captain said.
“I hope that continues and I will try my level best for as long as I can to keep that
culture going,” he said.
Kohli also lauded Ravi Shastri, the India Head Coach, and credited his own evolution
as captain to the feedback he received the from 56-year-old.
“Because he's done so much commentary, and he's seen the game so much and has
played so much himself – just watching the game – he knows where the game is
heading," Kohli said.
"So just getting feedback from him constantly has been the biggest help for me, in
terms of moulding my own personality into captaincy. He's someone who has never
tried to change me just to be able to fit into the captaincy mode," he said.
“That was the most important thing and he's been the most amazing support for the
team and someone who's backed the team through and through," said Kohli.
"I think he's struck the perfect balance for this team. And he's the one person who
was there when we were No. 7 (in the rankings) in 2014. He was there and you know
the transition started under him," he said.
“And we started feeding off that mindset and started bringing that in, which I could
eventually go out there and boost more [on the field]. But I think it was his vision for
us to be fearless and play a certain kind of cricket, which I think he deserves a lot of
credit for,” the Indian captain added.
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