Virat denies any rift with Anil Kumble
Internet Desk: Virat Kohli led Indian cricket team will face arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy Group B encounter at the Edgbaston on Sunday. According to Virat his side will not take the young Pakistan side lightly.
“We don’t play against Pakistan very often and they can surprise up as we aren’t familiar with their players. All we can do is focus on our own game and play good cricket which works against any side in the world. But we cannot take them lightly,” said Kohli.
India has got one of the strongest bowling attacks in the tournament. The team management will choose the bowlers after having a look at the pitch conditions said Kohli.
“We will choose the bowlers after an inspection of the pitch. We’ve just arrived so we haven’t even gotten a chance to look at the pitch the first time. We’re going to go out to the centre. We’ll have a look at the wicket.”
“There are all kinds of possibilities — two spinners, two fast bowlers, three fast bowlers, Hardik and a spinner. So we’ll see what the wicket is like and what we feel is going to match up well against the opposition.”
“Accordingly, we’ll pick our best bowling attack. But as you mentioned everyone is bowling really well. The team looks really balanced. We’re feeling really confident as a team. And that’s showing how we’re playing in the warm-up games. The intensity was right up there, and that’s something that was really nice to see for me as a captain. It’s a good headache to have,” said Kohli.
Virat Kohli has broken his silence on the alleged rift with head coach Anil Kumble and has lashed out at people for spreading such kinds of rumours.
In the pre-match press conference ahead of the Pakistan game, Kohli said if one has no knowledge about the issue, they must not speculate.
“There are no problems within the team and people are just making things up. There are agreements and disagreements within the team and that is basic human nature,” said Kohli.
“If something put in place as process I don’t see why people are creating so many speculations, it’s been followed last time as well,” he added.
“The problem is that people lack patience and they talk about things without having any knowledge about it. But the worst part is that if what they say comes out to be wrong, they don’t have the courage to own it up.
“Even at our homes, we don’t agree with all the things but that doesn’t mean there is a problem in the family,” said the India skipper.