On a day when he turned 26, Virat Kohli received a sweet news when he was nominated for the ICC ODI Player of the Year (2013-14) award on Wednesday.
The stand-in Indian skipper spoke at length to the media on various subjects on the eve of Thursday’s second ODI against Sri Lanka here.
Excerpts:
On ODI Player of the Year nomination: Well I have been nominated twice, the first time (2012-13) I won it and this is the second time. The first time was special because I ended up winning it. This is more satisfying because you know you have been able to repeat that performance which is always a challenge for a cricketer. I am really happy with the nomination and hopefully I can keep up the performance and be recognised like this the every season I play.
On the progress of team’s batting unit: The batting has come together very nicely over the past one or one and a half years. It’s not like it has happened recently, it’s a gradual process and the guys are more comfortable batting in their spots.
On missing an effective all-rounder like Yuvraj Singh: We have had a few people coming in now. (R) Ashwin has been more than good with the bat in certain situations, a very intelligent cricketer. There is (Ravindra) Jadeja, everyone knows how capable he is. He’s been a perfect all-rounder for us. Now we also have Axar Patel whose temperament has been amazing. We have Stuart Binny as well as a fast bowing all-rounder.
On Varun Aaron’s absence affecting pace combination: Obviously Varun’s pace is always an advantage. If a guy is bowling at 150kph, it’s a great thing for the team. But Umesh Yadav is doing the same thing and Ishant (Sharma) can push himself up to 140kph if and when he feels like. His body is strong enough to bowl consistently at 140 for seven-eight overs. Other than that Dhawal (Kulkarni) isn’t the same sort of bowler who you expect to bowl at 150.
He is rather a bowler who is very consistent and he has shown that in first-class cricket as well and it’s his consistency that has gotten him to this level and I don’t expect anything different from him. Being consistent is his strength.
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