Top

Would not be a problem for me to get along with Ravi Shastri: Virat Kohli

When asked about the speculations off the field, the India skipper replied that his job is to perform with the bat.

Mumbai: India skipper Virat Kohli has insisted that it would not be a problem for him and new head coach Ravi Shastri to understand each other owing to their past experience.

Shastri had earlier served as Team Director between 2014 and 2016 and Kohli feels it wouldn't be a tough task for him and the newly appointed head coach to get along and work.

"We have worked together in the last three years. I don't think I need to understand anything else. We have worked before. We know what's expected and what's on the plate. I don't think it will require any effort," said the India skipper ahead of the team's departure for Sri Lanka featuring three Tests, five ODIs and a T20I starting July 26.

When asked about the previous Sri Lanka tour where India won the Test series 2-1, Kohli said, "That tour was a landmark tour for us because if you look at the average age, that tour for us was the start and showed that we can win away from home and we do have the culture to win away from home. We showed that we have the ability and we can win from any situation."

Asked if he was feeling any added pressure given the events of the past few weeks, the 28-year-old shrugged it off and said, "I don't think there is any added pressure. As a team we aspire to achieve. Everyone has faced hard times."

"I don't take any added pressure. I continue to take responsibility till the time I am captain. You just need to take care of your mindset," he added.

Shastri had replaced Anil Kumble as India's head coach after the latter resigned from the post following a successful one-year tenure that ended on a bitter note after fallout with Kohli.

When asked about the speculations off the field, the India skipper replied that his job is to perform with the bat.

"I only have the bat in hand. I only focus on doing what is in my hand and that is to play. Speculations are not in my control. My job is to bring the best out on the field and make this team do well," he said.

When asked about relationship with the support staff, Kohli said, "Everyone has relationships and one goes through them in all spheres of life. Understanding and communication apply on everything. It applies to any relationship and not just cricket. Everyone has gone through relationships somewhere in life, same rules apply."

"I don't want to elaborate further," he added.

Next Story