Despite SL proving to be easy meat in last series, today's battle opener in Kolkata will be as significant as the rest
The tough tour of South Africa may loom large but Virat Kohli was around to quash suggestions that the series against Sri Lanka was a whistle-stop on the way to that December date. "Every match is important, every series huge. It's not like if we lose this series, you guys are going to say nothing to us," the Indian skipper shot back during the media conference before the first of three Tests which, the weather willing, begins at Eden Gardens today. "We want to play good cricket and maintain our consistency as a team. Winning is the most important thing, and everyone is on the same page on that," he added, saying it doesn't matter which team or where they are playing.
The Eden Gardens is covered as dark clouds hover in the sky on the eve of the first India v Sri Lanka Test in Kolkata yesterday. Pic/PTI
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Both teams were denied nets after a depression ushered in a nagging drizzle since last night. The start of the Test looks headed for a long delay. It will also lengthen the suspense over the kind of wicket that will be presented for the match. It had an ominous green look before going under the covers on Tuesday. An overdose of Sri Lanka? "This analysis has to be done over a period of time by asking the fans who watch the game," Kohli quipped. Front-running is a tough task, in sport as in most aspects of competitive life. Virat Kohli & Co. sitting atop ICC's Test rankings, would rather reinforce resources than look over their shoulder. "If you want to remain the top side in the world for a long period you have to win everywhere," Kohli reminded, stressing that, "developing our games for different conditions" is at the core of that philosophy.
"We've gone through a good phase where a lot of cricket has been played at home but if we had played all this cricket away we would've had the same intensity and mindset. We believe in ourselves. The mindset of winning is very important. You start working on your game and look forward to playing in difficult conditions. We want to embrace being uncomfortable, and that's the most important thing."
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