India skipper Virat Kohli has been in the news recently for his marriage to Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma but the 29-year-old attention is now firmly back to cricket as the team prepare for a long and gruelling tour of South Africa.
The No.1 ranked ODI batsman in the world addressed the media in Mumbai ahead of their departure for the tour series comprising of three Tests and as many T20Is along with six ODIs.
“I was away for something which was much more important, switching back to cricket was not difficult at all, cricket is in my blood,” the skipper explained about his return after the personal mini-break from the sport.
While India have rode on the success in the comforts of home to consolidate their hold over the top of the ICC Test rankings, questions still remain over whether Kohli’s men can sustain this form away to the likes of South Africa, Australia and England.
Kohli though remarked that his side was not going away to the African country in the hopes of proving a point.
“We are not going out there to prove something to someone, we are just going out there to play cricket and give 100% for the country,” he commented.
The right-hander did however say that his Indian side is ready for the challenge of performing away from home.
“(We) need to play really good cricket over a long period of time to win overseas. And we’re really looking forward to that.”
India will be up against the likes up Morkel and Rabada.
Faced with the prospect of taking on a fearsome Proteas bowling quartet of Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Kasigo Rabada, the Delhi man said that the attack India faced during its last visit in 2013-14.
“The bowling attack what they had back then, as compared to now, was more experienced. We played some really good Test cricket then,” Kohli quipped.
The master batsman said that the mindset of a batsman played a greater part than conditions at any part of the world.
“All depends on the mindset you get into as a batsman. Even Indian conditions can be tough if you’re not in the right frame of mind,” he said.
Head coach Ravi Shastri spoke about the importance the next one-and-a-half years will have on Indian cricket ahead of what in his opinion will be a very tough test.
“The fact is that players have been together for four to five years. That experience will stand them in good stead. Conditions will be tough. The next one-and-a-half years will define Indian cricket,” he remarked.
Shastri is excited about Bumrah’s potential in the five-day format.
Limited-overs specialist Jasprit Bumrah has been given his maiden Test call-up for India and Shastri was excited by what the Mumbai quick could achieve on South African soil.
“I think Bumrah is very exciting. He has shown how good he is in ODIs and T20Is. He has shown he’s one of the best in the world and has been acknowledged by opponents. I think his confidence level is high and it is a good time to get him in,” Shastri said.
The first Test between South Africa will begin on January 5 at the Newlands in Cape Town.
