ADELAIDE: Virat Kohli has a priceless message for youngsters – sole focus on limited-overs formats shouldn’t be an “excuse” for not being able to cope with the challenges of Test cricket.
The world’s No. 1 batsman with 25 Test hundreds warned that youngsters will have mental problems if they don’t embrace the pristine form of five-day cricket.
“If we focus too much on shorter formats – yes, they’re important – but if we solely focus and look at them as an escape or an excuse to not be in the kind of situations that Test cricket presents to you, then I think there will start being a mental problem with the cricketers coming up,” Kohli was quoted as saying by Star Sports.
The Indian skipper, who has played a few defining knocks against world-class bowlers like Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Mitchell Starc during the past year, spoke about the hardwork that goes into the making of a quality Test player.
“As long as you’re willing to wake up every morning for five days and do the hard yards and go do the dirty work – if you’re willing to bat for two hours and not score a run for the team – I think that is what people (youngsters) should prepare (for).”
Kohli said the current batch of Indian Test cricketers are trying to set an example for the younger generation.
“That (vision) will require the team to lay out certain things that needs to be done and for the next lot to keep following. So (when) the next lot that comes in, they have to maintain that vision and then the people coming in will follow.”
Kohli has reaffirmed his commitment towards Test cricket, saying he wants India to become a superpower in the game’s longest format.
Number-one ranked India recently won their maiden Test series in Australia under Kohli’s leadership.
