Well-prepared for the Test: skipper

The passing away of Phillip Hughes has had an impact on everyone concerned with the game of cricket. From players to administrators to fans, there was no one that remained unaffected by his death as a result of which the four-match Test series and tri-series had to be tweaked while the preparations for both sides didn’t move in the desired direction.

While Indian cricketers understood the gravity of the situation, they had to spend a good chunk of their preparatory time without knowing what to do. “Well, obviously it was a sad phase for everyone involved with the game of cricket and outside,” said India’s stand-in skipper Virat Kohli.

“We also felt a bit low in energy for those initial two-three days. But we have tried to get on with our practice and stay on track with our preparations because at the end of the day you have to move on with the game. We don’t want to be in a position where we are lacking in our preparations going into the first Test. We have been quite professional with it.

I think we have got back on track with our preparations quite nicely and everyone is looking in good nick,” he said.

Kohli also spoke about his bond with Hughes and the funeral that he attended on behalf of the Indian team.

“I was emotional and taken back by the incident because Phil was one of the guys I used to interact with when he used to come on tours and when I was in Australia, I have done a camp with him in Brisbane. I was always closer to him than most of the guys. It was equally saddening and emotional for me.

“But as professional cricketers you have to move on and do what needs to be done and move on to the next thing that you have to do which is to play a Test match tomorrow.  You have to put behind everything that has happened, be at 100 per cent of your ability and stay focused,” he remarked.