JOIN USAs the new role of Test captain beckons, Virat Kohli exuded his usual confidence. Kohli admitted he enjoys captaining the side and said the responsibility has only spurred him to become a better player.
“I had been captaining India on and off before also. Whenever MS (Dhoni) was not there or resting, I always enjoyed the role as a captain. I want to take the responsibility. Frankly, I don’t feel the pressure of the job. In fact, it helps me to raise my own game, stay focused and concentrate on the job,” Kohli told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event.
"This is a job you have to do carefully. One would have to understand what each player needs and also carry the team as a unit. I am learning all these things slowly.”
Dhoni’s retirement from Test cricket raised the speculations of a new wicketkeeper. Kohli held special words of praise for Wriddhiman Saha. “We know Saha is there, we also have keepers like Sanju (Samson), Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel. Saha has worked very hard over the years and his keeping is world class. His batting is also good. So far, he was only playing whenever MS was not there. He is already 30 but he is still very fit. I think he should be playing for India for another five-six years,” he said.
With the IPL at its peak, Kohli also fielded questions about RCB’s unimpressive run in this edition. He came in defence of Chris Gayle who is struggling to find his form. “Gayle is a player who can change the complexion of a game alone. While doing that he is putting some pressure on himself. There is a feeling he has to score in every game, that’s a difficult situation. We have told him to just relax. Now I and (AB) de Villiers are batting close to each other, that is also helping the team. Things will improve in coming days.”
Kohli rated paceman Mitchell Starc as the best in the world and rated leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal among the most prominent talents in the current IPL edition. “Last season, I recommended for his inclusion, he has certainly become a world-class bowler,” he said. “I am very impressed by Yuzvendra Chahal. Whenever I throw the ball at him, he is always ready and he always gives you the result. It is lovely to see him ball.”