‘I won’t worry about expectations’: Virat Kohli reveals how he plans to play in new ODI role
Virat Kohli (Image: BCCI) Virat Kohli is back in his favorite format, but this time without the weight of expectations and the constant chase for milestones hanging over him. As the soon-to-be 38-year-old prepares to return to ODI cricket against the West Indies, he says he has made a conscious decision to play with more freedom and focus on what he has done best for India for years, stabilize the innings before the order.Kohli has been in excellent form in his last 10 ODIs, scoring three centuries, over 90 knocks and four fifties. His recent performances have underlined the impact of a simpler role, with the former India captain looking increasingly comfortable as a one-format player.
“I promised myself that I would play more freely”
In an interview with Jiostar ahead of the first ODI against West Indies, Kohli explained what has changed in his approach.“What has changed is, firstly, I have promised myself that I will play more freely. I will not worry about the expectations that people around me might have. My role has always been, for a long time, to stabilize things,” Kohli said.The former India captain admitted that he has always had the ability to attack but the demands of the situation often require him to take a more measured approach.“I know I can play, I know I can hit shots. But the demands are that if it’s a tricky situation and you’re playing on a tricky pitch, eventually you get into a space where you’re like, I can hit, but I’ve got a role,” he explained.
Kohli wants to add ’30-40 more runs’
Rather than forcing himself to attack from the start, Kohli wants to create a situation where he can maximize his contribution once set up.“I consciously try that if I’m set up to make a change in the game where you can get 30-40 more runs. I want to stay in a space where if I choose not to take a risk it’s because I’m ultimately setting myself up to get to a point where I say, okay, now hit the gas pedal,” he said.
Kohli backs young captain Gill
Kohli also had words of encouragement for India’s ODI captain Shubman Gill, who is still establishing himself in a leadership role.“Captain Shubman is still learning. He is still young in the role but he has the right perspective and the right kind of intensity to lead the Indian team,” Kohli said.Kohli was particularly impressed by Gill’s clarity in terms of strategy and his approach to running the side.“He’s very clear about his plans in terms of how he views us operating in this area. Obviously, with more experience and understanding of situations, the kinds of calls you get are things he’s going to constantly work on and improve, which is what anyone in a leadership role does,” he added.
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Kohli also backed Gill to have a long tenure as India’s leader
“But he has the desire to lead the Indian cricket team in the right way, which is the most important factor. So I see him leading for a long time and he will be absolutely fine,” Kohli said.India will be looking to bounce back from their 1-2 ODI series defeat against England in July in England.Indian ODI squad for West Indies series: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Na Siraj, Yashahir and Jawal Jabish, Jahiri Jabi.Watch West Indies’ first ODI tour of India on Sunday, September 27 from 2:00 PM, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.