Despite the fact that Team India has already conceded the ongoing five-match Test series to England, they are more than one reason to give a tough fight in the fifth and final Test at The Oval. Skipper Virat Kohli feels that despite his side’s loss, it has been a competitive series.
During a recent interview on Sky Sports with the legendary Michael holding, Virat said, “It is a competitive series, to begin with. We have already understood and admitted the things we haven’t done well. You understand that you have the ability, but ability only gets you to a certain extent, and then, your mental toughness comes into play when you want to win a Test series in difficult conditions and difficult countries, something we aspire to do. And, when you don’t do that from winning positions, it hurts more than any other thing. And for us, as a team, that has been the most frustrating part.”
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When Holding asked the Indian skipper that how he cope up with the pressure of scoring runs consistently apart from being a captain. He replied that the primary thing for him is to be happy in his daily life and to do the right things on a daily basis. He reckons that after assuring all that, everything becomes an enjoyable journey for and that’s the larger picture for him in life.
Kohli also asserted about the pressure of scoring, he said, “I don’t play for people, perceptions or reputations. I only play for the team to win. I didn’t start to play for numbers. People will only remember your attitude and what you brought to the field. Nobody talks about Sir Viv Richards’ average, they talk about his attitude and the charisma he brought to the field, how he inspired people. I see this as a greater responsibility to be put in the position I am by that power, to inspire people. For that, I need to do the right thing from morning till night.”
The Indian skipper is having a great outing in the series so far as he has amassed as many as 544 runs from the four Tests. However, on being asked that if there is something he could’ve have done better in the series, Virat replied that there are the second innings in Birmingham and the first innings in Southampton.
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Kohli feels that he doesn’t think about the number of runs he has scored as numbers don’t matter to him. He is more focused on correcting his mistakes and also about finding new ways to improve his game.
In the series so far, the Indian fast bowling unit has done a great job this series, claiming wickets consistently while being economical. Speaking on the context, Kohli said, “These guys want to be the best bowlers in the world and that is what I am proud to see as a captain. When you see them running in, bowling in partnerships, bowling for each other, it is a beautiful feeling. They have worked on their fitness, strength and are honest about their preparations. So, the main focus is to take 10 wickets. They believe that they can take 20 wickets in a game and that is what matters.”
