No trust deficit between Kohli and ‘priceless’ MS Dhoni
BONDING Duo has gelled well when controversy over coach Anil Kumble has not shown dressing room in good light
NBA FINAL ASIAN CUP QUALIFIER INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY and here is where Kohli has looked up to Dhoni, and he has responded admirably.
It is now eloquently clear that the Cricket Advisory Committee’s decision to appoint Kumble ahead of the happy-go-lucky Ravi Shastri certainly did not amuse Kohli. News of an extra term for Kumble has only made Kohli’s mind restless.
In this crisis of sorts, Dhoni has been playing a comforting role, something that has won Kohli’s respect.
The former skipper’s involvement on the field when South Africa batted on Sunday was high and ‘apprentice’ Kohli, never shy of seeking Dhoni’s guidance, was one for the cameras.
“His (Dhoni’s) input is always very precise, very helpful at any stage of the game... today it was all about asking him whether to keep the slip in there long enough or what does he think of the fields and just taking assurance.
“Obviously you don’t want to feel isolated out there. Yes, you’re making decisions, but the inputs from such experienced players are priceless at any stage ,” said Kohli.
Success or failure, feels Kohli, is shared by a team, not scripted by any individual. And this ‘individual’ may well be Anil
Kumble.
“You know, thinking about how we wanted to improve our fielding, I think this was something that we required, this kind of a fielding performance.
“And before going out, we had a chat in the huddle that I want to see everyone’s intensity go up, and that a conscious effort we have to make individually in such a big game, you need to start well.
“And then bowlers were on the money and that actually helps the fielders get into better positions and attack the batsmen when they know the bowler is hitting the right spot regularly,” he added.
Kohli said the tight opening spells from Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar at the start of the match helped in building