Virat Kohli seeks superpower status for India in Test arena

Sudhir Gupta 08:09 16/01/2019
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  • Kohli seeks further red-ball glory for India.

    Virat Kohli and his men might be currently chasing an ODI series win against Australia but it is domination in the Test arena which is the most burning desire for the India skipper.

    Earlier this month, Kohli’s men scripted history by becoming the first ever Indian side to win a Test series on Australian soil. Following his side’s 2-1 win over Tim Paine’s men in the four-match series, Kohli had gone as far to hail the victory as more important to him than the 2015 ICC World Cup crown clinched by India.

    That historic series win has only served to further whet the appetite for red-ball cricket success for Kohli who is now aiming for an extensive period of India domination in the Test format.

    “I wouldn’t say goal but I would rather speak of a vision, which is for India to be a superpower in Test cricket or a very, very strong side in Test cricket in the years to come,” Kohli told Star Sports in an interview.

    “I think if Indian cricket respects Test cricket, and Indian players respect Test cricket, then Test cricket will stay at the top because of the fan base that we have all over the world.

    Test success remains the most important for Kohli.

    Test success remains the most important for Kohli.

    “If we focus too much on shorter formats – yes, they’re important – but if we solely focus and look at them as an escape or an excuse to not be in the kind of situations that Test cricket presents to you, then there’ll start being a mental problem with the cricketers coming up.”

    The win over Australia strengthened India’s grip at the top of the Test rankings table with Kohli himself cementing his position as the number one batsman in the world. The 29-year-old superstar now wants the existing team culture to be passed on to future generations of India’s Test setup.

    “As long as you’re willing to wake up every morning for five days and do the hard yards and go do the dirty work – if you’re willing to bat for two hours and not score a run for the team – that is what people should prepare (for),” Kohli stated.

    “That will require the team to lay out certain things that needs to be done and for the next lot to keep following. So, the next lot that comes in, they have to maintain that vision and then the people coming in will follow.

    “I hope that continues and I will try my level best for as long as I can to keep that culture going.”

    For now, Kohli will turn his immediate attention to the ODI series decider against Australia with the team teams currently locked at 1-1. The third and final match of the series will take place at Melbourne on Friday.

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