Chennai: Out-of-form Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli on Saturday insisted he does not need to change the way he bats as he has always played with responsibility for the team.
Kohli, who played for India A in their second unofficial four-day Test against Australia A, produced knocks of 16 and 45 in the match that the tourists won by 10 wickets here on Saturday.
India have not played much Test cricket this year and Kohli’s form has been rather indifferent in the ODI arena, where he hasn’t scored a hundred since February.
Asked if he needs to curb his aggressive approach to get back into the groove ahead of the tour of Sri Lanka starting August 12, the batsman responded with a firm no.
“As a batsman I have always been responsible with the way I play my cricket and it comes from wanting to win the game for the team every time I play. So I don’t think I need to change too much in that aspect. I think that is one of the major reasons that the board thought that I could be the man to take up responsibility for the team,” Kohli told bcci.tv.
“It all boils down to how you play your cricket eventually and that’s the way I have always played my cricket, be it on the field, be it the way I bat, I always give my 100 per cent.
“Putting in that extra effort in batting I don’t think is required because I have always played in a responsible way for the team. And I will continue to do that when I play for my country.”
Talking about the tour of Sri Lanka, which comprises three Tests, Kohli said he is looking forward to leading India for the first time in a fully-fledged series.
“It’s basically my first full assignment as Test captain. In Bangladesh it was a one-odd Test match. So it will be a new challenge for me and the whole team because we have such a young squad and so many new players looking to build their careers,” he said.
“It is an exciting challenge to start together as a new unit. It is exciting for me and as a team. Everyone is very, very happy and putting in all the effort required to do well in Test cricket. I am certain if we prepare well and have the right kind of vision, we will do really well in Sri Lanka. I am confident about the whole team and also hope that I am able to do the job given by the BCCI,” he added.
India A are currently being coached by former Test skipper Rahul Dravid and the legendary batsman expects Kohli to deliver the goods against Sri Lanka.
Defending Kohli’s aggressive approach, Dravid said: “I think you have to be who you are. The beauty of this game is that it allows different people to succeed. Most people who succeed in this game over a period of time are aggressive. It is just that they show it differently. Some are more expressive and some are not.”
