Honoured To Be Given Captaincy Across All Formats, Says Virat Kohli
Jan 14, 2017 at 5:56 PM
![Honoured To Be Given Captaincy Across All Formats, Says Virat Kohli](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.sportzwiki.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F01%2FCaptain.jpg&w=3840&q=30)
Its just been eight days since Virat Kohli became the India captain across all formats after Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepped down from limited-overs captaincy and the Delhi lad is nothing but delighted about it. Talking to media ahead of the first One-Dayer in Pune on Sunday, Virat said he feels honoured to be given the captaincy across all formats and will look to carry forward his good run.
Sounding ecstatic after taking charge, Kohli said he is happy and couldn’t have asked for anything more.
The captain was, however, in all praise for his predecessor Dhoni, calling him the most intelligent man around in the side. He said Dhoni has been an excellent customer behind the stumps for India. His decision making ability has helped the Men in Blue fetch some unforgettable moments and wins over the years, and that his inputs now would just be ‘priceless’.
“I and MS have always understood our kind of operation out there in the middle. So it doesn’t make anything difficult as I am concerned because when he was in charge, I always gave my point of view to him. His views now will be priceless for me.”
Virat also said he hasn’t been burdened by the load of captaincy and would rather enjoy his stint as the boss on the field.
Speaking about his own role, Virat said he won’t curb his natural game and that he will allow the lower-middle order to express themselves more freely. He further added the added responsibility will bring the best out of him and he’ll aim to be a better player and more importantly a better person.
“I don’t think so. I haven’t felt the burden at all. I was actually pretty delighted to be given the captaincy of all three formats. I think it just adds to the responsibility. It makes you a better player a better person.”
The captain, when asked about his plan to tackle England, who in colored jersey appear to be more be dangerous, said Eoin Morgan-led side is versatile and cannot be taken lightly at any cost. He said he did follow the warm-up games and has penned down his tricks to outfox them in the series.
The 28-year-old did not shy away in saying that England possess more threat in shorter formats.
“I have seen the warm-up games well and they seem good. I think against a side like that you need to be more aggressive in terms of wanting to pick up wickets. If you think of bowling dot balls they will feed on that. We already have plans in place to how to counter with what they will come up with. Yes, this English team looks really fearless in the shorter format.”
India and England will square off in the first of the three One-Dayers in Pune on Sunday.