Kohli opens up about the new coach selection

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India will face West Indies in the third ODI tomorrow. File Pic
  • Kohli will share his view on coach selection if BCCI asks for it
  • Our first priority is to win the series in the Caribbean

Internet Desk: Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli on Thursday said he will only share his views on new coach selection if the BCCI asks him regarding this matter.

With Ravi Shastri applying for the top job and Kohli’s good relationship with the former Team director has made Shastri firm favourite to become the new coach of Indian cricket team.

On being asked about his opinion on new coach, Kohli replied, “From a personal point of view, I can’t pinpoint anything or give any details. We as a team only voice our opinion when asked by the BCCI,” Kohli said at the pre-match conference ahead of the third ODI against West Indies on Friday.

Kohli said that there is process that is put in place and no individual opinion matters.

“This is a process we always go through and something we respect as a team. It’s something that is asked to the team and not in segregation. The same procedure, as and when it takes place, we will give our suggestions to the BCCI,” Kohli added.

When the same question was repeated in a different manner, Kohli was more curt.

“Suggestions are given to the BCCI. There is no point in saying anything out in the open because that is for us as a team to convey to the BCCI as when we are asked,” Kohli reiterated.

Putting the coach selection talks in the backdrop, Kohli said their priority right now is to win the series in the Caribbean.

“Right now, we have series at hand and this is what we are focussed on. The process is taking place and that is something which is in the control of BCCI. We are not focussed on anything else at the moment.

“Our priority is coming here and winning the series and preparing for the game that lie ahead of us,” the India skipper said.

Asked whether he has become calmer and equipped in handling media as his matured answers suggest, Kohli said: “It’s something that you become immune to after a while. It is something that happened quite a bit in the last few years. At the end of the day, what matters is you what you do on the field. Whether media covers you or not that doesn’t matter. I think it is a distraction early on in your career but after a while you don’t get distracted by these things.

“You know it’s going to be there so you just have to focus on what you need to do rather thinking about there is too much attention on me. It is not in my control, it is not something that I have asked for, it’s something that’s happening, so I have to sort of take in my stride and focus on my skills.”