Mumbai, June 11: His outstanding batting talent and prolific form has made Virat Kohli the top contender as MS Dhoni’s heir. But while his temperament to eke out big scores in pressure situations is widely hailed, Virat’s regular on-field outbursts often put him in the news for wrong reasons. The 23-year-old says along with the nuances of leadership, he is also learning the art of keeping his calm from the current India captain.
"I have been speaking to MS [Dhoni] a lot about it. He is one who doesn't sink or go above that line. He is someone who is always around that calm line. It is important to learn such things from such important people,” Virat told PTI.
"He keeps telling me that once I stay around that line I would keep improving as a cricketer. Once that graph goes too much above or drops, you end up putting yourself under pressure.”
Virat admitted the need to keep his aggressive instincts in check with the responsibility of vice-captaincy on his shoulders now. "When I became vice-captain, people around me told me that I need to change my aggression. Because people are watching me more and I need to change my aggressive attitude.
"You learn with time. Initially, I reacted in a way I shouldn't have. When I look back now...it was not natural. The build-up and the pressure or the special occasions make it tough to control the aggression,” Virat said.
Virat has had a fair amount of experience at the helm, especially with the Royal Challengers Bangalore team in the IPL. However, despite going into the 2012 season with tremendous form in both Tests and ODIs, Virat failed to make a telling impact with the bat. He admits to putting pressure on himself going into IPL 2012.
"To be honest, I was feeling the pressure more during the first half of IPL. I thought that I have set certain standards and I have to live up to it. It shifted me away from game plan. Latter half [of IPL], I was back on track.
“I am happy that it happened soon, I was able to realise that and able to learn from it. It is important you need to know your mindset and how to meet the expectations regardless of whether you are in or out of the team."
With Rahul Dravid having retired, an important spot has opened up in India’s Test batting line-up. Virat feels the 10 home Tests that India are scheduled to play in this season will help the young batsmen fight it out for a place in the Test XI.
"It's a good thing that we will play at home. Remember England and Australia beat us in their backyard. I can cite my example. Before Tests in Australia, I had played against West Indies and got a few runs, it boosted my confidence."
Asked if he was ready to fill in the big shoes of Dravid at the crucial No.3 position, Virat said, "It's impossible to match consistency of someone like Rahul bhai. But I thrive in pressure situations. If there isn't pressure, there is isn't any fun."
"I like challenges. You look to improve in areas that you wouldn't have thought before. I don't pay attention to comparisons. Six or seven of us are there who will all be playing for India for a long time. Among the lot I will leave Rohit [Sharma] out as he is way talented among the lot. I know we will all be colleagues in the Indian team in near future."
