Kohli: India will be ruthless

Champions Trophy holders on hot streak

Mumbai - Indian skipper Virat Kohli said yesterday his side would be ruthless in defending their Champions Trophy title next month, describing the competition as tougher even than the World Cup.

India won the last Champions Trophy in 2013 and head into next month’s tournament in England and Wales as favourites after a hugely successful home season with 10 test wins.

They are number one in the test rankings after series victories over New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia, and hope to carry that form into the 50over Champions Trophy event.

“The hunger to win and ruthlessness is what we speak about all the time. In test cricket we have done well with that mindset,” Kohli told reporters in Mumbai before the squad’s departure for England.

“That goes a long way in a tournament like this. If we think in that manner, we will get the results we want more often than not.”

India will play South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Group B, while England, Australia, Bangladesh and New Zealand form Group A. The two top sides from each group will progress to the semifinals.

Kohli, who was part of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side in 2013 that claimed the trophy, said the eightteam event offered little room for error. - AFP