Virat Kohli says the Coach has to make the team comfortable

At a post-training conference in Bangalore, Indian Test captain Virat Kohli shared his thoughts about the upcoming tour against the West Indies and working with newly appointed coach Anil Kumble. Kohli admitted that they would be pushing for a series win, which will be the first for Kumble in charge of the Indian Cricket Team, after much drama and confusion regarding the national coach selection. India begins the Caribbean tour on 21st July. They are scheduled to play four test matches.

“No matter from where the team comes from, he has to make the team comfortable”, said the Indian Test captain in Bengaluru. “I have great respect for Anil Kumble”, he added.

India would rise to the top of the test rankings if they manage to pull off a whitewash in the West Indies. As per the interview on the official Facebook page of the Indian Cricket Team, when asked whether they are going to try and achieve the feat and maintain high standards as they had done before, Kohli said, “High standard has many definitions. I don’t think our high standards would be achieved if we gain the No: 1 spot in the rankings.

“We don’t play cricket for rankings. Rankings are the things which come with success. It is important how you play cricket on the field and execute your plans.”

Mohammad Shami will be returning to the Indian side after a year. When asked about what Mohammad Shami brings into the team, he said, “Shami is a skilful guy; he has a lot of ability. He brings in a lot of bounce in his deliveries. He is a bowler who can take 2-3 wickets in succession for a team.

“We have seen his skills with the reverse swings against West Indies in Kolkata and against Australia in Sydney. He is eager to come back and prove himself once again.”

The last International match he played was back in 2015, Australia in the Semi-Final of the ICC World Cup. As the tournament concluded, he admitted that he bowled with pain in the left knee which was recurring. After that, he underwent a surgery was out of the National side for quite a while.

India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin suffered an injury in his right arm during the ongoing national camp in Bangalore. When asked about the matter, current Indian coach Anil Kumble was quick to dismiss it as a minor bruise. “It is just a bruise, nothing serious”, said the former Indian cricketer.

Virat Kohli feels that Anil Kumble’s experience would be very useful ahead of India’s tour of West Indies, as he has been part of many such tours and knows how the mindset of the players should be in such situations.