India eager to show the ‘ruthless’ side
IN THE ZONE Skipper Virat Kohli takes charge and looks all geared up to brush aside the Sri Lankans
HYDERABAD: Discipline, dedication and diligence — the three most important ingredients for good work ethic — were on full display when stand-in India skipper Virat Kohli graced the field for a practice session ahead of their third ODI against Sri Lanka at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
After a brief warm-up session, he headed straight for the 22-yard strip and had an animated chat with curator YN Chandrasekhar. Kohli looked curious and didn’t hesitate to ask a few questions. He then headed straight back to his bowlers and was involved in an intense chat with his Delhi teammate and lanky medium-pacer Ishant Sharma. The curator’s words might have triggered the reaction as it was learnt later that the wicket could be quicker than normal. AT THE NETS Kohli’s involvement with the players continued as instead of padding up and having a bat himself, he preferred to spend time watching Shikhar Dhawango about sharpening his skills. With coach Duncan Fletcher and team director Ravi Shastri overseeing the proceedings, the India skipper even suggested a few shots to the opening batsman, especially in the midwicket area.
Once done with his supervision, the Delhi batsman finally hit the nets playing a variety of shots and appreciating the rare deliveries, which managed to fox him. NO COMPLACENCY With the hosts already 2-0 up and Sri Lanka looking rusty and out of sorts, chances of complacency creeping in were high, but the India captain ensured his players did not fall prey to it.
“I think what we are trying to achieve is being ruthless rather than letting situations slip away. In the past, we have had such experience. So collectively we have decided to keep the foot on the pedal and not let the opposition get away with anything,” Kohli said on the eve of the match. WHAT OPPOSITION? But does the series against a tired and uninspired Sri Lanka team defeat the purpose especially, with the World Cup round the corner?
“We are more focused on what we want to do rather than who we are playing against and what their strengths and weaknesses are,” Kohli said. “If we just improve on our areas of concern then who our oppositions are should not matter. That’s the culture and belief we are trying to instill in this team,” Kohli added.