Virat Kohli said that the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is not a key motivator for India as Test matches have always been a priority for them.
The Indian skipper added that the inaugural WTC is more of a distraction for the team as it can derail their plans if they start thinking too much about the competition.
Virat Kohli: WTC Might Work For Teams Who Are Less Motivated To Play Tests
India is firmly in the driver’s seat to play in the ICC World Test Championship final, set to take place later this year at Lord’s. The hosts will only need to avoid defeat in the final game of the series against England to book their place in the summit clash against New Zealand.
When asked how Team India views the World Test Championship, Virat Kohli said: “WTC might work for teams who are not that motivated to play Test cricket. Teams like us who are motivated to play Test cricket and want to win Test matches and keep the Indian cricket team at the top of the world in Test cricket. We have no issues whatsoever if its a WTC or not. For teams like us, it’s just a distraction when you start thinking of the WTC.”
Virat Kohli further explained that he and his team are not motivated by the incentive of playing in big games. This is because they give equal importance to every game they get to play for the country.
“Eventually its a game of cricket, even a World Cup final, semi-final anything you take, is a game of cricket at the end of the day, and if you are not motivated to play a normal game of cricket and you are extra motivated to play a game of cricket which has some incentive to it, for me, as an individual, that’s unacceptable, and we as a team have never played in that fashion.
“For us, any game is important. If you start thinking too much about it, then that is a distraction from our plans and process.” the 32-year-old concluded at a virtual press conference.
Ishant Sharma said since he plays Tests only, winning the inaugural World Test Championship is like winning World Cup. Another Test specialist nowadays vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane echoed Ishant Sharma’s emotions and said on the same lines that winning the WTC would be similar to winning the World Cup.
Virat Kohli Needs To Concentrate On The Match In Every day And Session: Anshuman Gaekwad
“If i was the coach of the Indian team today, i don’t think i would have thought of it (WTC). You need to concentrate on what you are doing today. Just concentrate on the match, day by day, session by session. That’s the only way you can go on. If you set a target, then you are bringing a lot of pressure on yourselves,” Gaekwad said in an exclusive chat on SK Live.
England is out of contention for a place in the WTC final. However, they could spoil Virat Kohli and his team’s party if they manage to win the final game and level the Test series at 2-2. In that scenario, Australia will go through to the final of the inaugural edition of the mega event.
India currently has gained a 2-1 lead in the ongoing four-match Test series against England and if the hosts manage to win or draw the final Test, they would secure their berth in the final of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC) against already qualified New Zealand.