I’d be running to MSD for advice: Kohli

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

Chandigarh, January 7

Virat Kohli, now India’s captain across all formats, says that he would be “running” a lot to Mahendra Singh Dhoni for advice. Kohli, who has been leading the Indian Test team for the last two years, was named India’s ODI and T20I captain as well on Friday, after Dhoni resigned as limited-overs captain.

“Obviously on the field I would be running to him a lot. I would want him to totally enjoy his cricket now,” Kohli said on bcci.tv. 

Kohli said that he did not realise how, as the seniors retired, he became the leader of the team. “I didn’t realise myself when this transition happened, from starting off as a player just wanting to play for India and now having the responsibility to be captain in all three formats,” he said. “For every child it is a dream to just play for the country and this probably is the biggest day of my life.”

He said that he believes in leading by example. “Added responsibility has always worked for me in the sense that you have no room to be complacent or relax at any stage,” Kohli said.

Kohli also said that he wants his team to play consistent, high-intensity cricket, which would help it in its “ultimate goal” of winning matches. “For me the most important thing is that the team should realise that the ultimate goal is to win,” he said, “In this day and age you have to play consistent cricket at a very high intensity for a very long time to win the game. We have become more resolute, patient and mentally stronger than the opposition.”

Thanks, MSD, for thinking I could lead

I’m very thankful to MS Dhoni for giving me this opportunity, for thinking that I’m worthy of taking that responsibility forward. I’m very grateful to him for his contribution to the whole process. I’ve learnt a lot from him, in terms of leadership, in conducting myself, how to take the team together. 

So, it couldn’t have been done in a better way, in a such a respectful and humble way by him. At the same time, me understanding the situation and having that respect and regard for him.

I’ve been preparing myself in my own head (for captaincy). MS has been speaking to me as well, about strategies, about how situations need to be approached. He also understood that it’s very important to guide me, to teach me. The kind of legacy he has set up, it’s very important for the person coming in to take that forward and not be in a state of confusion.

It’s great still having that guy for his advice and inputs, for the cricketing brain he has. But what I’m most pleased about is that he’d be able to play free cricket, express himself as the aggressive MS Dhoni we knew when he came into the team. As a player, you understand that responsibility can take that away from you. I think it’s time he enjoyed his cricket, for how much of time he wants. He’s taken so much burden for the country.

These are massive shoes to fill. If you think of MS Dhoni, the first word that comes to mind is ‘captain’. You don’t relate MS Dhoni in any other way. For me, he’s always going to be my captain, because I started my career under him. He gave me opportunities, he gave me ample time and space as a cricketer. He saved me from getting dropped from the team many times. 

We share a wonderful friendship, and I could not be more lucky than to still have him around for ideas. On the field, I’d be running a lot to him. Even now, when he was captain, we would have a lot of discussions and then come to a conclusion. 

If I ask him where he wants to bat, knowing the kind of person he is, he would say “wherever you want me to bat”. He’s like that. But I’d love to see him bat higher up than what he has been batting at for the last few years. I want him to enjoy his cricket. If MS Dhoni enjoys his cricket and plays the way he did in his initial years, the team is in a very solid space. 

21 units accept reforms as Srini-Thakur unite 

Bengaluru: With Supreme Court verdict already out, 21 state units have already confirmed in writing to Lodha panel about implementing all the reforms even as former presidents N Srinivasan and Anurag Thakur joined forces in Bengaluru. It was learnt that 24 administrators of various state units met in the Garden City to discuss their future. “If 24 individuals, who are no longer qualified officials meet anywhere in India, no one should be bothered. These officials stand disqualified as per SC verdict,” a source said. Asked about the reports that some associations may not allow matches to happen in their stadiums, the source said: “It is strange that an individual no longer associated with BCCI can make such claims about a facility built on government land.” Jatin Paranjpe and Gagan Khoda are set to be removed from the BCCI senior selection panel after the Board was clearly told to trim the panel to three members in place of five. — PTI