ENG vs IND 2018: Cannot assure players of their place in the side, says Virat Kohli

India has played 37 different elevens in as many Tests under Virat's captaincy.

Virat Kohli has now played 37 different elevens in as many Tests under his leadership. (Getty)

Having played 37 different elevens for as many of India's last Tests under his leadership, Indian Captain Virat Kohli has justified the long going practice as tactical moves for different surfaces and conditions that his side has played in. 

Even though, before the tour of South Africa earlier this year, from June 2015 to December 2017, India played 31 Tests and all of them either at home and in Asia and West Indies, Virat has said that injuries and adjustment of slots haven't helped the cause to play the same and consistent eleven either. 

Virat has said that the perception of "lack of security" amongst the players in his set-up is not true and such ideas are "a lot out of nothing" created by people from outside world. 

There has been a thought around, with India 2-0 down on another overseas tour and similarly poor result in South Africa barring Johannesburg, that some of the careers are under threat but Virat doesn't think that way at all. 

Giving confidence to his players, Virat said, "For us the priority is to win games of cricket. We are not thinking whether someone's career is on the line or what's going to happen to their future. When it's your time, it's your time," and added, it is "bizarre" to think like that leading upto the all-important game because "no one can play on forever. I'm definitely not thinking like that. So I won't speak to the guys assuring their careers are not on the line,"

Virat reiterated in conclusion that, "There's no room for us to think about anything else other than a win. It's about intent."

India are 2-0 down in the five-match series. 

The third Test starts on Saturday, August 18 at Trent Bridge. 

(Inputs from Times of India)


 

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 18 Aug, 2018

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