Kohli walkietalkie use no rule violation, says ICC
NEW DELHI: India skipper Virat Kohli found himself in the centre of controversy after he was caught on camera using a walkietalkie during Wednesday’s first T20 win over New Zealand at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground. There were suggestions Virat Kohli had violated the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules by using a communication device on the field during the match. The rule is part of various measures in place because of concerns over matchfixing. Mobile phones are banned in the dressing room. However, walkie-talkie communication is allowed between the dugout and dressing room area by player support personnel. NEWDELHI: Virat Kohli’s consistency and aggressive style have epitomised the Indian cricket team in the past couple of years. Their No. 1 status in Tests and a winning streak of seven ODI series prove that the 28-year-old captain is guiding the side in the right direction.
That Kohli never fails to give it back to rivals when faced with harsh words has only added to his aura. But former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist feels the India captain’s in-yourface attitude should be copied by his teammates with discretion. “If I were in his team, I wouldn’t be identical to him on the field. You have got to do whatever comes naturally to you and what you believe in. It doesn’t mean every player who doesn’t act like Virat questions him,” Gilchrist told Hindustan Times.
“If it’s a false bravado, at some stage it will let you down. You will get caught because you will be pretending so much that you’ll forget to play the game of cricket.” Former India captain Rahul Dravid echoed similar sentiments recently when he said that Kohli is ‘outrageous’ at times and that he ‘cringes on reading his statements before a series’.
“Aggression should come from within. Usually your personality says a lot about the way you play your game. Virat is a passionate, energetic and determined person. Clearly, his batting shows that. It reflects even in his leadership and his desire to achieve success,” Gilchrist added.
DHONI UNDERVALUED?
Gilchrist feels Kohli’s aggressive and young team also boasts of a calm personality in MS Dhoni. The former India skipper’s presence is benefiting India in more ways than one, feels Gilchrist.
“He (Dhoni) is so versatile that he could possibly play anywhere between No. 3 and No. 7 and have an impact. I don’t see any evidence that he is letting the team down. I think they (India) probably benefit more than they realise, by him just being around,” said the veteran of 96 Tests and 287 ODIS on the sidelines of ‘Royal Stag Barrel Select Perfect Strokes’.
“I love Virat and the young Indian players, and all their passion. But it’s always nice to be balanced with some experience. I wonder if people are undervaluing that experience and calmness (of Dhoni).”
With Kohli going on record saying that every ODI series from now on will be played keeping the 2019 World Cup in mind, a big question is whether Dhoni, who will be 38 then, should be the No. 1 choice for wicketkeeper.
“He has always carried out his duty for his country without any issue. I don’t know if there is someone in the wings who adds more value to the Indian team than MS. In the next two years, anything can happen. I think MS will make the right decision when the time comes.”
RECORDS ON THE LINE
The Australian great, who has played with Kohli in international cricket as well as IPL, added that the India captain is on the right track to break every batting record. In ODIS, Kohli has 32 tons, second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 49 centuries. In Tests, Kohli has 17 centuries.
“I think every batting statistic is in danger across all formats. It’s extraordinary. He is a world-class batsman. Even if he doesn’t break all the batting records, he will certainly get close to all of them,” Gilchrist said.
I think every batting statistic is in danger across all formats. It’s extraordinary. Even if Virat doesn’t break all the batting records, he will get close to all. Virat is a passionate, energetic and determined person. Clearly, his batting results show that. It reflects in his leadership and desire to achieve success.
I love Virat and the young Indian players, all their passion. But it’s always nice to be balanced with some experience. I wonder if people are undervaluing that experience. I don’t know if there is someone in the wings who adds more value to the Indian team than MS. In the next two years anything can happen. I think MS will make the right decision.