Leading the team a responsibility and an opportunity, says India's new ODI and T20 skipper Virat Kohli, who agrees that captaincy can bring stress, but it's not something he will shy away from
Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni
Team India skipper Virat Kohli (left) and MS Dhoni during a practice session in Pune yesterday. Pic/PTI
Pune: It looked a mere formality that the selectors announced Virat Kohli as Team India skipper in the shorter formats too as soon as MS Dhoni stepped down from the one-day and T20 captaincy. And it didn't surprise the man himself either, who looks at captaincy as an opportunity.
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"I am proud that I am found worthy to carry this legacy forward. To be in the position to make decisions is an opportunity; it's not too much pressure," Kohli said at an event in Pune on yesterday.
"It's surreal. When I came into the team, I was just looking to perform, I never thought the path will lead me this way," Kohli said when asked about the feeling of being named captain. "I have been captain of teams in junior cricket, but being captain of India is special, it's the hot seat. But one thing that comes with it is responsibility," he added.
Kohli agreed that captaincy can bring stress, but it's not something he will shy away from. "I won't say it is not stressful, but I would rather be in this position than not have to work hard. I like to be tested hard," he explained.
Kohli reiterated his ambition of winning at all times, something that has become a hallmark of his style of captaincy in Tests. "For me, the most important thing is that the team should realise that the ultimate goal is to win. You have to play consistent cricket at a very high intensity for a very long time to win a game. That is one of the things that we have been able to do in Test matches. We have become more resolute, patient and mentally stronger than the opposition," he said.
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