The Indian cricket team is all set for the upcoming full-fledged tour to West Indies. Ahead of the tour, on Monday, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli addressed media in Indian team’s pre-departure press conference, where Virat opened up about many things, especially the rift between him and Rohit Sharma.
Even since the World Cup 2019 campaign, the rumors of a spat between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are making rounds. However, clearing the air, Virat Kohli has rubbished all the rumors. He said:
“In my opinion, it’s baffling and ridiculous to read such stuff. Public talks about how well we’ve played, and here we’re feeding lies and talking about negative things. And I’ve seen this being brought up for far too long now. It’s bizarre how people are creating these things. You enter the dressing room and witness for yourself the kind of healthy atmosphere that’s there. The lies are made to look believable.”
He added:
“We are living and breathing in getting Team India to the top, and here some people are doing there best to bring us down. The friendship and camaraderie are there for everyone to see.”
“If the atmosphere in the team is not well, the team would not have been so consistent so far. We have climbed from no. 7 to no. 1. This cannot be done without the camaraderie between the players.”
Watch the video uploaded by BCCI :
It is baffling to read (reports of an alleged rift). We are feeding off lies, overlooking facts & turning a blind eye to all the good things that have happened. It is disrespectful: @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/gl9oPm8veE
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 29, 2019
Virat Kohli was asked about his views on the selection of Coaching staff, to which he said that he would like to have the same staff as the team has a great camaraderie with them. He said:
“We have great camaraderie with our coaching staff. So we would want the same coach to continue. But that is up to CAC to decide. The CAC hasn’t contacted me yet. If they want my opinion, I’ll go and speak to them.”
On being asked about middle-order he said:
“I don’t know on how to answer this question on middle-order. It’s not fair to be critical of the middle-order. We are looking to find someone who is consistent.”
On break after World Cup, Virat said:
“Nothing was communicated to me about rest. It’s an important time for the team to regroup. I know we were all very disappointed with not going into the World Cup final, but we have to move on.”
Talking about the upcoming T20i Matches against West Indies, Virat said:
“The T20I matches against West Indies will be a good avenue for new blood to show their talent. Some players who have performed in IPL and in domestic tournament. These players have shown great composure in IPL. This is a great makrer for these guys and for us to have them in the squad.”
Talking about the test championship, Virat Kohli said it will provide more exposure to Test cricket:
“Test Championship will provide more exposure to Test cricket. This will be challenging and exciting for the players and they will learn from the experience.”
Virat Kohli said that now all the focus of the team is on T20 World Cup:
“With T20I World Cup next year, the focus was bound to shift to T20Is. But the Test Championship will keep focus on Test cricket as well. With three formats, things will continue to shift rapidly. That is the nature of the modern game.”
On not choosing Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli said:
“We chose him (Rohit) over Jinx (in the South Africa Test series) because of the way he (Rohit) was playing. But Jinx is a solid player as well. We’ve all seen the impact he can make with the slip catching and everything. I don’t think we should jump the gun. But I think he will come around. Jinx will also come in, and he can start stringing in scores.”
