Daily Dispatch

Kohli upbeat about Shastri

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INDIA captain Virat Kohli said yesterday he wants a good working relationsh­ip with new coach Ravi Shastri after the acrimoniou­s departure of Anil Kumble.

And the skipper expressed confidence he could make it work with Shastri. “We know what’s expected and what’s on the plate,” he said ahead of India’s departure for a tour of Sri Lanka.

Kohli was accused of forcing out Kumble after the spin legend resigned last month, saying his relationsh­ip with the captain had become “untenable”.

Kohli kept silent during the selection process that culminated in the return of Shastri, who was team director between 2014-16.

Speaking with Shastri at his side, Kohli spoke of the captain-coach relationsh­ip and the way ahead for the world number one Test side.

“We have worked together for three years. A lot of speculatio­ns and lot of things fly around; those things are not in my control.

“My job is to try and get the best out of this team along with the management and perform to the best of my abilities, which I believe in.”

Shastri, who has been given a twoyear contract running up to the 2019 World Cup, also spoke of the need to communicat­e better in order for the team to prosper.

“I carry on from where I left. I don’t come with any baggage .... My job is to put every player in a frame of mind where he is thinking only about his role and the team he is playing for,” said the former all-rounder.

Shastri, 55, edged other high-profile names including compatriot Virender Sehwag and Australia’s Tom Moody after a tough selection process.

India will play three Tests, five one-day internatio­nals and a Twenty20 game in Sri Lanka. The first Test starts on July 26 in Galle. — AFP

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