In response to CAC member Sourav Ganguly saying Virat Kohli needs to understand how coaches function, the India captain says there is no need for him to do so because...
India's head coach Ravi Shastri make a point in an animated fashion as skipper Virat Kohli looks on during a press conference in the city yesterday. Pic/PTI
ADVERTISEMENT
Less than a fortnight ago, when the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) decided on the new head coach but did not reveal the name to the media, CAC member Sourav Ganguly told the press that he wanted skipper Virat Kohli to understand how coaches function.
"Virat will need to understand how coaches operate. At the same time, you have to give credit to him that he has stayed out of the coach selection process. We will have a detailed chat with him once he is back from the West Indies," said Ganguly on July 10, the day the CAC interviewed candidates for the head coach post.
Sourav Ganguly
Heard that, Ganguly?
Yesterday, however, Kohli specifically mentioned that there is no need to understand anything new about coach and support staff as he understands them very well.
"We have worked together for three years — 2014, 2015 and 2016 — so that amount of understanding is bound to be there. Since we have worked together in the past, we know what is expected and what's going to be on the plate," said Kohli during the Indian team's pre-departure press conference before they left for the Test and one-day series in Sri Lanka.
"I think understanding and communication is something that works in every walk of life. The changing-room environment is nothing different. You need to have all those aspects for any relationship to work in life. It's not just confined to cricket," added Kohli.
"We want to speak to Kohli and explain to him that coaches want to function in a certain way. We want to make sure that everybody is on the same page before the announcement is made," Ganguly had also said.
No added pressure: Kohli
Kohli refused to believe that there is additional pressure on him after he got the head coach of his choice. "What has to happen will happen, I believe in that regardless of what happens around in the outside world. As a team, we aspire to achieve what we want to achieve.
"Everyone of us faced hardships, criticism; being criticised is nothing new and we understand that aspect of playing sport, I certainly don't take any added pressure because the responsibility has been given to me. I started off as a player and wanted to do best for the team. I continue to take up that responsibility," said Kohli.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
