Former skipper Mohammad Azharuddin considers Virat Kohli as the future captain of India but said the young cricketer needs to tone down his aggression and behave like a leader.
Former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin was critical of young skipper Virat Kohli losing his temper while controversially given out during the second ODI against Zimbabwe.
"You cannot behave like this being the captain of the India. He should behave like a captain. I think he can tone down a little. It looks like he will be leading the country in the next few years, he should behave like one," said Azhar here Monday.
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Virat Kohli is given out by umpire Bruce Oxenford after a review against Zimbabwe in Harare on Friday. PIC/AFP
Kohli, who successfully captained India to a 3-0 unassailable lead against Zimbabwe in the ongoing ODI series, has been in news on and off for his dose of aggression and on-field spats.u00a0
Recently, Kohli, miffed at being given out to a controversial catch during the second ODI against Zimbabwe, ended up arguing aggressively with on-field officials even after the third umpire ruled against him.u00a0
Azhar advised Kohli to tone down and said it would help him in future.
"He is a good batsman and has been consistent, is a good overall cricketer too... It is good to be aggressive but some things are uncalled for. He has got the opportunity so use it to the maximum," said Azhar.
"Kohli's nature is different, I understand that but then everybody looks upto him. Being aggressive is good but he has to be aggressive from inside, showing it on the outside won't help. If he tones down a little bit it will be good for him," said Azharuddin, under whose captaincy India have won 103 ODIs and 14 Tests.
Former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin has advised Kohli to tone down.
With the young Indian side winning three tournaments -- Champions Trophy, ODI series in West Indies and one-dayers in Zimbabwe, -- on the trot, Azharuddin felt it would be difficult for the out-of-favour seniors like Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan to make a comebacku00a0into the national squad.
"It will be very difficult for them. The current team won the Champions Trophy, and also the tri-series in the West Indies. So to replace the winning combination will be difficult. The current team is doing well. The senior cricketers will need to perform well in the domestic circuit to try and make it to the team. They are not that old; in their early 30s so it is possible for them," he said.
On the controversial Decision Review System (DRS), Azhar said: "I think too much technology creates havoc. The on-field umpires need to be given more respect and more power than technology. I mean a wrong decision will only lead to disrespect for the umpires. You need to understand that it is already tough out there for the umpires."
When asked about the Indian cricket board's probe panel giving a clean chit to Gurunath Meiyappan and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra in the spot-fixing and betting scandal, Azhar said: "Whatever decision has been made, was made. I guess you have to stick by it unless and until they tell the IPL governing council to take action. I have not followed the news properly, so will be difficult for me to comment on it."
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