‘Iconic’ turnaround in 2015 fires Virat Kohli
INDIA IN SRI LANKA Kohli’s boys return to the scene of their 21 comeback series win that sparked the transformation to go on to become No 1 in Tests
COLOMBO: Across the Palk Strait and miles away from a probing India media, Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri handled the Sri Lankan media with ease. No questions on Anil Kumble and none on Indian cricket’s mysterious ways, captain and coach enjoyed talking ‘cricket’ in Colombo on Thursday.
Unlike the hurried less-than10-minute press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday, this one, with a handful of Sri Lankan journalists, stretched to almost 30 minutes! Lanka’s Test captain Upul Tharanga spoke in Sinhalese alongside Lanka’s interim head coach Nic Pothas.
For Kohli and Shastri, Sri Lanka has always been a rewarding experience. So, both quickly went down memory lane. “Our turnaround as a Test team started here (in 2015). It was iconic how we won the series after losing the first Test in Galle. It was a dent mentally...the victory gave us the belief as a team. The transformation started then,” said Kohli.
“The first stamp in my passport is Sri Lanka. I came here as an under-19 cricketer, then I debuted as a TV commentator here in 1994 and now (here I am) as India’s head coach,” gushed a ‘matured’ Shastri.
India play a two-day practice game in Colombo starting Friday. The first of the three Tests starts in Galle on July 26.
“We haven’t played red ball cricket for three months. We will need four-five days to physically train ourselves and once the Tests starts, we have to align mentally. As professionals, we have to jump from format to format,” said Kohli.
Sri Lanka may have struggled in recent times, managing a dramatic record four-wicket win against unfancied Zimbabwe on Tuesday, but Kohli and Shastri said India “respected” their formidable home record at home.
AS GOOD AS ANY SIDE
“Lanka at home is as good as any side in the world. There is no strong and no weak side and we respect any opposition,” said Kohli, adding that India “wanted challenges” and sought to “earn victories.”
Stand-in head coach Pothas said that Lanka were in “transition” and are in a similar position when India were rebuilding two years ago. The win against Zimbabwe will lift the Lankans for sure. Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne hit crucial half centuries to guide Sri Lanka to their highest-ever run chase.
Kohli’s words “this game rewards the brave,” can only buoy the young and gaining-inexperience Lankan side. The upcoming series can help resurrect the Test career of Shikhar Dhawan who replaced Murali Vijay, out due to injury.
“Injuries are unfortunate and can’t be controlled,” said Kohli, who lauded Vijay for showing the “honesty” to declare his injury. “That’s the culture we have brought in this team. A culture of honesty has helped us grow,” said Kohli.
With Dhawan back and an injuryprone KL Rahul returning in the Test squad, India should be back with two regular openers. Both Dhawan and Rahul scored Test centuries in the 2015 series. “We will not dwell on the past and won’t bask in glory. Taking one day at a time, we want to be one step ahead of the opposition,” said Kohli.
The journey begins next week.
Our turnaround as a Test team started here. It was iconic how we won the series after losing the first Test in Galle. The transformation started then VIRAT KOHLI, India captain