Ravichandran Ashwin opens up about Virat Kohli’s fierce winning mentality

Ashwin feels Kohli is now on-par with the some of the greatest captains in the game.

Kohli does not have a negative bone in his body, says Ashwin (Pic. source: AFP)

India’s seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has hailed Virat Kohli as a leader who wants to win at all cost. Addressing the media after Tamil Nadu’s opening match against Gujarat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Monday (February 5), Ashwin opened up about different facets of Kohli’s game.

Even though Virat’s leadership is yet to be tested in countries like England, New Zealand and Australia, Ashwin still feels that the current India skipper has done enough to be rated amongst the greatest captains of all time.

“He (Kohli) is someone who will go for a win come what may. He does not have a negative bone in his body, he always talks about a win, never about saving situations, we’re always moving ahead. It is good because the players know what is required from them. It gives an amazing amount of intensity to the team,” Ashwin said according to PTI after Tamil Nadu’s 76-run victory over Gujarat.

“This is his first series overseas as a full-time captain. I am sure all the best captains in the past too have a set of home games. He (Kohli) is already on par with most of the greatest captains that have played the game. It is best that we give credit to him,” he added.

Talking about his personal performance in the recently concluded Test series against South Africa, Ashwin said he had achieved what he wanted to, but he would have liked to have got a few more wickets. The 57 Tests veteran picked up 7 wickets at an average of 30.71 in 2 Tests against the Proteas.

“On a personal account, I would say I batted beautifully through the first two Test matches. If I had just held myself when the second new ball was taken I could have made a massive difference. I felt a little disappointment for that. But in general that was my role in the game, I had to counter-attack and I felt that way.

“As an individual who went into that series, whatever I wanted to achieve I did achieve. Probably a few wickets lesser than I would have ideally liked. A few dropped catches, which is part of the game,” Ashwin said.

The world No. 1 Test side conceded the three-match Test series 2-1 to the Proteas. However, Ashwin feels that the series was closely fought.

“I feel the series was very very close and it was on the line. In fact, even at Cape Town and Centurion till the last ball was bowled we probably were in the game. Probably, Centurion a little bit earlier. I thought we played really good cricket,” he said.

“On both the occasions, if we had won the toss it would have made a massive difference. As a team we really played well in South Africa. It gives us a lot of impetus going into the England series,” concluded Ashwin.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 06 Feb, 2018

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