I Feel A Lot More Confident Taking The Limited-Overs Captaincy, Says Virat Kohli

Jan 7, 2017 at 10:33 PM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
I Feel A Lot More Confident Taking The Limited-Overs Captaincy, Says Virat Kohli

Admitting that becoming the Test captain on a short notice took him by surprise, newly-appointed limited-overs skipper Virat Kohli has said that he is mentally prepared to lead the team in the shorter formats. The 28-year old took the Test captaincy from MS Dhoni midway through the Australia series in 2014 and was handed the ODI and T20 captaincy in quite the same manner.

With the upcoming ODI series against England just around 10 days away, Dhoni left everyone surprised by stepping down as the captain on Wednesday (January 4) and Kohli was handed the reigns two days later on Friday.

Speaking to bcci.tv, he said: “Test captaincy I think I was told a day before the Adelaide Test that MS is not going to play the game and I was going to be captaining. It was quite surprising. I didn’t expect it at all. In my head, I was still finding my feet in Test cricket as a batsman. But the responsibility worked beautifully for me.”

“It (captaincy in Tests) took a bit of time to process and understand how it is done. Yes, I would say the ODI and T20 captaincy has been something that I have tried to learn along the lines a lot more. At the same time I feel a lot more confident taking it up and starting it up straightaway because of the kind of cricket I have played in the shorter formats and what I have learnt,” he added.

In a revealing insight, the new skipper said how he learnt the basics of captaincy from Dhoni who has been his captain ever since he made his ODI debut in Sri Lanka way back in 2008.

He said:“I have been preparing in my own head, MS has been speaking to me about strategies, about how situations need to be approached. Because I think he also understood it is very important to guide me, teach me, knowing the legacy he has set up. It is very important for the person who is coming to take it forward and not be in a state of confusion.

“Added responsibility has always worked for me in a sense that there is no room left to be complacent. You have no room to relax,” said Kohli who has been scoring heavily in Test cricket ever since becoming the captain.

Speaking of the difference between leading a Test team and ODI team, Kohli hailed Dhoni’s immense contribution to Indian cricket.

He said: “Captaincy in Test cricket still gives you the opportunity to come back into the game. I saw an Allan Border interview where he spoke about the leadership of Ricky Ponting. He mentioned that Ponting was able to maintain that consistency rate over such a long period time in a format that doesn’t allow you to come back very often. So to stay on top was a remarkable achievement. That is what MS has done for India as well. Has got all the major trophies.

“Captaining in shortest format is very difficult, and to keep coming back in that requires a different set of thinking, requires you to think out of the box, which MS has done wonderfully for so many years. Responsibility makes me a better player, a better person, makes my understand the game much more.

“I think I would be able to execute the plans with much more conviction than the time I started off with Test captaincy,” said the batsman who is world number two batsman in Tests and ODIs and number one in T20Is.

Related Article
Medical Complication The Reason Behind Virat Kohli’s Extended Break, Claims Journalist
Medical Complication The Reason Behind Virat Kohli’s Extended Break, Claims Journalist

Feb 12, 2024, 3:05 PM


While MS Dhoni Was My Captain, My Eye Was On Virat Kohli: Ravi Shastri
While MS Dhoni Was My Captain, My Eye Was On Virat Kohli: Ravi Shastri

Feb 10, 2024, 3:34 PM


Not Available For Last Three Tests As Well: Virat Kohli Tells Selectors
Not Available For Last Three Tests As Well: Virat Kohli Tells Selectors

Feb 10, 2024, 9:52 AM


Virat Kohli To Miss Third Test, In Contention To Return For Last Two Tests Against England
Virat Kohli To Miss Third Test, In Contention To Return For Last Two Tests Against England

Feb 9, 2024, 2:10 PM


IND vs ENG 2024: Virat Kohli Set To Miss Entire Series Against England: Report
IND vs ENG 2024: Virat Kohli Set To Miss Entire Series Against England: Report

Feb 8, 2024, 9:19 AM


IND vs ENG: Missing The Battle Between Virat Kohli And James Anderson, I’m Looking Forward To It – Nasser Hussain
IND vs ENG: Missing The Battle Between Virat Kohli And James Anderson, I’m Looking Forward To It – Nasser Hussain

Feb 7, 2024, 6:35 PM


Desktop Banner
Mobile Banner