Virat Kohli is back in his favourite format, but this time without the weight of expectations and the constant chase for milestones hanging over him. As he prepares to return to ODI cricket against the West Indies, the soon-to-be 38-year-old says he has consciously chosen to play with greater freedom and focus on what he has done best for India for years, stabilising an innings before shifting gears.Kohli has been in outstanding form in his last 10 ODIs, scoring three centuries, a 90-plus knock 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 I’m going to play more freely’
Speaking to Jiostar ahead of the first ODI against the West Indies, Kohli explained what has changed in his approach.“What’s changed is, firstly, I promised myself that I’m going to play more freely. I’m not going to worry about the expectations that people might have around me. My role had always been, for a long period of time, that I’m going to stabilise things,” Kohli said.The former India captain acknowledged that he has always possessed 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 such that if it’s a tricky situation and you are playing on a tricky pitch, you eventually get into a space where you’re like, I can hit, but I’ve been given a role,” he explained.
Kohli wants to add ‘30-40 extra runs’
Rather than forcing himself to attack from the outset, Kohli wants to create a situation where he can maximise his contribution once he is set.“I am making a conscious effort that if I’m set to make a difference in the game, where you can get 30–40 extra runs. I want to stay in a space where, if I’m choosing not to take a risk, it’s because I’m setting up eventually to get to a point where I say, okay, now press the accelerator down,” 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 the leadership role.“Shubman, the captain, is still learning. He is still young in the role, but he has got the right perspective and the right kind of intensity to lead the Indian team,” Kohli said.Kohli was particularly impressed by Gill’s clarity when it comes to strategy and his approach to leading the side.“He has got his plans very clear in terms of how he looks at us operating in the field. Of course, with more experience and understanding situations, the kind of calls you take are things that he will keep working on and improving, which everyone does in a leadership role,” he added.
Kohli also backed Gill to have a long stint as India’s leader
“But he has got 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 England in July.India’s ODI squad for the 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 Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Naman Dhir.
