IPL 2018: KKR skipper Karthik wants to 'lead by example' like Kohli

India's Dinesh Karthik watches the ball during the second ODI against NZ in Pune last year. Pic/PTI

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) appointed wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik as their new captain yesterday for the upcoming Season 11 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) beginning April 7. The Tamil Nadu player, who earlier plied his trade for Delhi Daredevils, Gujarat Lions, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, said he would like to emulate Team India skipper Virat Kohli and lead from the front.

"Virat is a captain who leads by actions. His work ethic speaks a lot and that is something I would really want to try. I want to lead by example, rather than just talking. I want to go on the ground and would like my scores to speak," Karthik said after the announcement was made at the Star Sports studio in the city.

Virat Kohli

Different kind of aggression
Karthik, who scored 2903 runs in 152 IPL matches, added that even though he may not come across as an aggressive player, if a situation arises on the field, he wouldn't mind countering it. "I am somebody who is not aggressive from the outside, but that does not mean I am not aggressive from inside. While playing a game, I am one of those guys who doesn't even speak to the opposition, either before a game or in the lead up to it. These are ways how I show my aggression. When the situation is tough, I can counter it. I may not show it through my body language, but deep down I am thoroughly aggressive with my cricket and I would like to take that forward," Karthik said. Two-time champions KKR have a well-balanced team this season, including a young pace battery consisting of India U-19 World Cup-winning speedsters, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi, who consistently bowled at 140+kph in New Zealand.

Message to young pacers
However, Karthik suggested that in addition to raw pace, they should have good variations in their armoury as well. "They should not just concentrate on pace - that's just one aspect of fast bowling. In the IPL, you need variations and need to think ahead of the batsmen. We have Heath Streak as our bowling coach and he was very efficient. I know he has the potential to help these youngsters. They have a lot to learn from him and are also in safe hands with somebody like Jacques Kallis, who is an all-rounder and will provide the right advice as well," he said.

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