Debasis Sen, Bengaluru: There is a huge amount of mutual respect being noticed among Indian test captain Virat Kohli and newly appointed India coach Anil Kumble. According to Virat, the appointment of Kumble will definitely act as a huge boost for the entire team. Kumble on the other hand lauded Kohli’s aggression and said he would not curb his natural instinct.
“It is a huge boost for us that Anil bhai is our coach. Bowlers will feel more support due to his presence. Especially as he is someone who has won so many matches for the country and knows what it requires to win matches both India and abroad,” Kohli said praising Kumble while talking to the media ahead of their departure to West Indies tomorrow..
Virat also pointed out how Kumble has brought a refreshing change to the team bonding sessions.
“Yesterday, he arranged a team activity (cricketers had a Drum Circle session with Vasundhara Das’s group) and it was fun. It was a surprise for us. Often due to the rigours of international cricket, we forget about team bonding session.
“These sessions helps in build camaraderie which shows on field. Even Dhoni bhai, who came for the meeting (Roadmap) joined us and enjoyed the session.”
It is learnt that Indian ODI captain MS Dhoni also gave a pep talk to the current cricketers.
Indian team is scheduled to play as many as 17 test matches starting with the series against West Indies. Kohli and his team will leave for the Caribbean on Wednesday to take part in a four match test series starting in Antigua from August 21.
The Indian test skipper Virat Kohli aptly stated that the coming days will be an indicator as to how they have shaped up as a Test unit.
“This is the perfect situation and opportunity to challenge and assess ourselves as a Test team. These months will define how we play as a Test team in coming years,” Kohli said to the media here in Bengaluru.
India will look for a 4-0 clean sweep against the West Indies which will put them atop ICC Test Rankings and Kohli was asked if that was something he and his team was aiming for.
“Our target is not to become No 1 in Tests. I don’t think any team plays for the sake of rankings. The main goal is to play good cricket. Even if you are No 1 in rankings and don’t play for a long time, you can become No 2 and you will have no control over it. All we can control is the kind of cricket we will be playing,” said Kohli.
“These (rankings) things are like by-products. It’s an incentive for good performance and we can celebrate it. The aim is to execute our plans taking one Test match at a time. This is a big season and it will help us build a rhythm. Otherwise, you play two Tests and then don’t play for six months, there is no rhythm.”
Kohli also spoke about how the batting group has worked hard and is prepared for all eventualities with specific skill practice, including countering reverse swing and playing sweep shots.
“From the last Test series (against South Africa), we have learnt a lot. We have addressed issues like not losing wickets just before or after the break. You would want to dominate the game and losing early wickets means that you are always playing a catch-up game,” Kohli added.