Ahead of Team India’s departure for the much-awaited England tour, skipper Virat Kohli addressed the media and said that he isn’t too concerned about the limited preparation time that his side will get for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
See Also: WTC final should be best-of-three affair in long run, opines Ravi Shastri
During the England tour, the Kohli-led team will play the WTC final against New Zealand in Southampton (June 18-22) followed by five-Test series against the hosts (August 4-September 14).
While India’s top cricketers have seen out of action after the suspension of IPL 2021 last month, New Zealand are already getting valuable practice with the two-match series underway against England.
"...look, in the past we have landed in places three days prior even on a proper schedule and have had a hell of a series and hell of competition, so it is all in the head," Kohli said in the pre-departure press conference.
"...it is not the first time we are playing in England, we all know what the conditions are like.
"And even if you are used to the conditions, if you don't enter the field in the right frame of mind, you are going to nick that first ball or you are going to find it tough to pick wickets," he added.
According to Kohli, his side would not have any issues even if it gets just four practice sessions leading into the game.
"...we don't have any issues even with four practice sessions heading into the game, because we are absolutely sure of what we can do as a team and we all have played in England.
"Whether it is with the Indian team or India A as well, for the likes of (Mohammed) Siraj...so we are not bothered by that at all and we just want to get there and make the most of the opportunity at hand," he remarked.
Just like head coach Ravi Shastri, Virat Kohli stressed on the significance of World Test Championship final.
"All of us take a lot of pride in playing Test cricket, and the way we have progressed as a side is an example of what Test cricket means to us. So, for all of us as a unit, those who have been part of the Test side for many years, this is like an accumulation of all the hard work," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
