Must learn to cash in on crucial moments, says captain Kohli
COLOMBO: Diplomat, cricket student, a batsman fiercely proud of his work ethic, a young skipper keen to deliver — Virat Kohli was all that at the launch media conference for the Test series against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. His counterpart Angelo Mathews was left to defend his team from criticism following the loss to Pakistan, but Kohli got the opportunity to lay down his agenda.
“I know I have been criticised for being aggressive but that is something that has given me success as an individual, and that is something we believe in as a team as well. I’m not saying the line of discipline has to be crossed, but in terms of body lan- guage and mindset we would like to play cricket the way we did in Australia. It gave us a really good chance to be competitive against a really good team in their home.”
What about India not winning a Test series in Sri Lanka since 1993? It is a special place for Kohli, who began his international career in an ODI series here in 2008. “When we won our first (bilateral) one-day series here for 25 years (in 2008), I had no clue, so there was no pressure.” Executing the job on hand will take care of such records.
India’s four overseas Test series defeats in a row could have been averted had they taken their chances. They failed to dismiss South Africa in Johannesburg, just fell short in Adelaide despite Kohli’s brilliant century and threw away a series lead in England. Then in Wellington, Kohli dropped skipper Brendon McCullum with New Zealand in disarray and his triple ton sealed a draw, and a 1-0 series win.
“The one area we have sort of not capitalised is being on top in those crunch sessions like say just after a session or just before the session break or drinks break,” he said. “A few other areas such as holding on to important chances in the game can be very crucial and that’s one area we have not really been at our best as far as Test cricket is concerned.”
Kohli promised India would give a grand farewell when Kumar Sangakkara retires after the second Test. “As far as cricket it concerned, the plan is to get him out as soon as possible. Otherwise it will take a lot of planning to do something for Sanga…He deserves the best of farewells.
“I have had a great relationship with him. Whenever we have played against each other, we have had conversations and he is someone who will always talk about cricket, is always willing to help younger players. Great man, great cricketer. He deserves a very good farewell, so we will prepare accordingly.”