Virat Kohli: Two years to World Cup, need to assign specific roles

A couple of months back, team India led by Virat Kohli reached the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy, which is also a world event

Score Keepers
Aug 20, 2017

India takes on hosts Sri Lanka on 20th August in what is slated to be a 5-match One Day Series. But it seems like Virat Kohli and the team management is already masterminding 2019 cricket World Cup which is still two years away. Virat Kohli wants to assign every player specific roles and let them know in advance their purpose in the team or what is expected of them. It seems like Virat Kohli and team India is planning hard, well in advance to succeed in the coveted tournament. A couple of months back, team India led by Virat Kohli reached the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy, which is also a world event. India lost to Pakistan, but they showed glimpses of being the world beaters.

“For us, it is about the time frame. It is not about which opposition we are playing. You can’t pick and choose. I have never believed in that and we as a team don’t believe in that,” Kohli said in an interview when asked about his ploy to go for horses for courses or not.

“Two years to go for the World Cup and now is the time to give players certain roles to get into the groove and understand what we need to do,” said Kohli.

“KL will definitely be playing in the middle-order. We are not going to be predictable or have a set pattern anymore in terms of what we are going to do in ODI or T20 cricket. Anyone could go anywhere. That’s what we are looking to do,” said the flamboyant Indian skipper.

PREVIEW: After India were victorious in the Test series, attention now turns to the ODIs!https://t.co/F5UQmv4LJz #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/kprrBNmd56

— ICC (@ICC) August 20, 2017

Who is your Running Buddy? @hardikpandya7 with @msdhoni #TeamIndia #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/3FYbbcr1EP

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 20, 2017

“Someone like Manish, he has done well and has grabbed his opportunities. He has got a hundred in Australia as well, and we know about his talent and what he brings onto the field as well. He is a super fit guy and has a bright future ahead of him. So he will certainly be backed.”

Dambulla: India to take on Sri Lanka in first ODI today #SLvIND

Read @ANI story -> https://t.co/j6QjFB36c7 pic.twitter.com/IdLsTGdMRG

— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) August 20, 2017

“All three guys (including Kedar Jadhav) will have to compete for two spots in the middle-order. There are no guarantees I would say. As long as there is healthy competition, everyone will keep pushing each other and that is healthy for Indian cricket,” the skipper added.

ICYMI #Barmies2017 International Player of the Year – the brilliant @imVkohli. Thanks for being a great sport & thanks @BCCI @goransaxena __ pic.twitter.com/sMFhAW2Lxg

— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) August 19, 2017

“Shikhar Dhawan is an impact player. Shikhar and Rohit, we know what they have done (achieved) in the past together. We understand their potential also Jinks (Rahane’s nickname) understands that at this stage, he is the third opener in the team,” concluded Kohli.