On the eve of the ICC World T20 tournament, Indian vice-captain Virat Kohli came to address the press conference. India will meet New Zealand, who never lost a T20 match against India in bilateral series and defeated India in 2007 World T20.
Virat Kohli said they are confident as India have taken good preparation for this tournament. India has lost only one match in last 11 matches and has won the Asia Cup defeating Bangladesh. “We are pretty confident having won 10 of last 11 games but this is going to be far more challenging,” Virat Kohli said.
But he said that the feelings of playing a big tournament like World T20 are different than any bilateral series. “The whole feel and vibe of such a big tournament is different from a bilateral. “It’s important to not get carried away, staying calm is important,” Virat stated.
Talking about batting in T20 format he said that T20 tests a batsman’s skill and concentration on the game as the format demand presence of mind and fitness. “Your skill and concentration is tested the most in T20s, we got over that hurdle in ODIs,” Virat said.
India will have huge pressure playing at home where millions of fan will cheer for the team for India’s second World T20 triumph since 2007, so players will have huge pressure on the shoulder even before the match starts. “At home people come to you and say we must win; we expect and understand that at home,” Virat explained.
Asked about Mohammed Shami’s return in the team after a long injury lay-off, Virat said, “Shami had done really well whenever he played regularly, we all were waiting for him to come back.”
However, Virat Kohli said breaking the winning combination is difficult as India has been winning matches with a settled team.
Earlier, India skipper MS Dhonis said if Mohammed Shami is fit then Ashish Nehra will have to spend time in the dugout. So, It is expected that Mohammed Shami will be in the playing XI against New Zealand, but Kohli hinted otherwise.
“It’s difficult to change a combination that has worked for you so well,” Kohli said.
However, India’s middle order did not get a chance to bat much in the two practice games which could be a problem for India.
Differentiating the role of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit and him, Virat said, “Dhawan’s role is to go out and take on the bowlers; I and Rohit try to assess the situation.”
Talking about his batting Virat said, “I see a big stage as an opportunity rather than pressure.”