Skipper Kohli, who stresses on being ruthless, says the team's biggest takeaway from series against Sri Lanka was players being positive rather than negative
It's clear Virat Kohli knows he will take over the leadership from MS Dhoni. It's clear the swashbuckling batsman has a vision for Team India. And it's clear his approach will be different from his predecessor's.
After the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad, skipper Kohli spoke about being ruthless as a team. Yes, he is no man to mince words. But more importantly, he backed his words with action.
Thus, when India completely decimated the hapless Sri Lankans in the five-match series to win it 5-0 with Kohli himself scoring an imposing unbeaten 139 in the final match, not many were surprised. None less than the captain himself, who said the biggest takeaway from the series was the aggressiveness of the players.
"Guys being positive and aggressive rather than defensive and negative. So that's something we're really stressing on. Even if a bowler is getting hit, as long as he's looking to take wickets and not looking to get away -- that's the change we need," Kohli said. "From the first match I have spoken about creating a culture of ruthlessness and winning habit in the team, and it has come off beautifully."
The word ruthlessness has really become Kohli's underlying slogan. Great captains, right from Imran Khan to Steve Waugh, stressed as much on this attitude. Kohli might still be a long way from joining that elite group, but there's no doubt the man has the quality.
"If I ask the guys to be ruthless while being lazy myself, I'll look stupid at the end of the day. Especially in a young team, the guys who are experienced have to lead the way. In a team, negativity can spread really quickly. You see two heads falling and six more will fall.
"The more the young guys see this kind of performances and know that the intent and aggression is coming from the top, they would want to follow. So, I, as the captain of the team, need to be at that intensity level first before asking anyone else to be there. It's a conscious effort I have to make and it's not that hard for me because I have always played my cricket like that," Kohli said.
Those who saw his innings in Ranchi to wrap up the series will vouch for that. He wears passion on his sleeve, and his aggressive intent rubbed off on the team.
Yes, the Lankans looked a pale shadow of themselves, almost uninterested, but even the Indians went into the series with the objective of experimenting with their combinations. That's the reason Kohli dropped himself at No. 4 to give Ambati Rayudu a crack at the No. 3 spot. That's the reason he was prepared to bench the seasoned Ravindra Jadeja for the rookie Axar Patel. Kohli was ready to gamble.
"It was a test for the boys who are new to such situations and they will only learn. As long as we keep learning from the mistakes that have been made, it's all good," Kohli said.
Asked whether he will continue to bat at No. 4 in ODIs, Kohli said he 'doesn't see any reason to keep batting at No. 4'.
"I can't comment on it right now but as long as we're strengthened in the middle-order, I don't see any reason to keep batting at four. I've scored most of my centuries and won most of the games for the team at No 3.
"As long as I play the same way as I did today (Sunday), that serves right for the team. You never know, I'm comfortable batting at No. 3 and 4 both. I will go with my gut feel as well as what the team requires of me," he added.
Well, that is something for the future. But one thing's for sure, come the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on December 4, captain Kohli will play with the same aggression, and also lead with the same aggression. Only this time, it'll be a first for him in white flannels.
KOHLI SPEAK
If I ask the guys to be ruthless while being lazy myself, I'll look stupid at the end of the day. Especially in a young team, the guys who are experienced have to lead the way
The more they (youngsters) see these kind of games and situations, and know that the aggressiveness is coming from the top, they would need to follow as well and be on the same page
From the first match I have spoken about creating a culture of ruthlessness and winning habit in the team, and it has come off beautifully
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