Hindustan Times (Amritsar)

Iam answerable to nobody: Kohli

The India skipper says belief in his own abilities has helped him overcome doubters and haters

- HT Correspond­ent sportsdesk@hindustant­imes.com

You just can’t ignore Virat Kohli. His bat speaks and that gives him the confidence to take on the world. Virat Kohli is quite a speaker, just like his cover drives, always confident and in complete control.

One got another glace of the fiery Indian cricket captain after Kohli was awarded the Polly Umrigar Trophy in Bangalore on Wednesday night for being India’s best internatio­nal cricketer.

Virat Kohli may not be in great form in the current India versus Australia Test series, but he had grabbed the headlines with his trademark aggression and banter with the Australian captain Steve Smith. The Decision Review System controvers­y on Day 4 of the Bangalore Test on March 7 won Kohli both friends and haters.

In the current India vs Australia series, Virat Kohli’s average after four innings is a poor 10.00, his worst ever. Kohli has scored 0,13,12,15 in the series so far. It was the second time when he made less than 20 in four or more successive innings. His scores were 19,14 not out,19,7,6 against England in 2012-13. But Virat Kohli’s desire to win the world is clear. His intensity on the field may not please the critics, but that’s the way Virat Kohli plays his game and he will make no bones about it.

“I always wanted to be one of the top players in the world for sure. So I understood what it would take for me to maintain my form in all three formats. It is very important in transition phase to be available in all three formats and take the country forward,” Kohli said.

Virat Kohli also took a dig at his detractors and said he always believed in his abilities although there were many doubters around him.

“All along in my career, there were many people who had doubted the way I have gone about my game. Even now there are doubters and haters all around, but one thing is for sure that I have always believed in myself,” he said. “I always believed in my heart that if I work 120 per cent everyday in my life I am answerable to no one.” said Kohli, who became the first Indian cricketer to receive the Polly Umrigar award for the third time.

HAILING TEAMMATES

Hailing his teammates for their support and contributi­on in helping India reach the pinnacle of Test cricket, Kohli said the last 12 months have been a breakthrou­gh year in his career. “It is been quite unbelievab­le in the last 10 to 12 months. As cricketers you always have a breakthrou­gh year for everyone. Startto ing late 2015 the end of 2016 probably I could term is as th breakthrou­gh year in m career.

“All the hard work, all the training on a dail basis, all the sacrifices, came together nicely. It could not have been possible without the help of the teammates through you out,” he said.

“At times don’t do well but when the champion players in your side step up and everyone delivers what when you start pro-results.” ducing Meanwhile Australia captain Steve Smith and Vira Kohli have escaped any charges after a controvers­ial Decision Review System (DRS) incident in this week’s Bangalore Test, the Internatio­nal Cricket Counci (ICC) said on Wednesday.

Following India’s 75-run win in the second Test, Kohli accused Smith of ‘crossing the line’ and said the Australian­s repeatedly looke towards their dressin room for assistance over whether to ask for a review of the umpire’s decision using DRS. Players are no allowed to seek direction on reviews apart from conferring with the non-striker.

Teams cannot make more than two unsuccessf­ul review requests pe 80 overs.

 ?? AFP ?? India captain Virat Kohli has aggregated 40 runs in four innings in the Test series.
AFP India captain Virat Kohli has aggregated 40 runs in four innings in the Test series.

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