Kapil Dev feels Virat Kohli must seek advice from MS Dhoni during Champions Trophy

1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev reckons Virat Kohli must make good use of the experienced MS Dhoni’s presence during the upcoming Champions Trophy. Kohli will be at the helm for the first time in a multi-team event, and Kapil feels the 28-year-old should seek advice from the senior statesman Dhoni.

Virat Kohli has tasted success in the long home season which involved 4 opponents – New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia. He led his side to 4 back to back Test series victories, along with a limited-overs series win against England. However, this will be Kohli’s first stint as captain at a global cricketing event.

Kapil wants Kohli to go to Dhoni

In an event organised by Star Sports and digital platform Hotstar, Kapil Dev shared, “It all depends on Kohli on how he wants to use his former captain’s experience. I don’t think Dhoni will be the one who will keep on jumping and keep on advising Kohli. It’s upto Kohli to get the best out of Dhoni and take his advice whenever its required.”

He was all praises for MS Dhoni, who had led India to their maiden Champions Trophy title in 2013. India had earlier shared the Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002 due to a washed out final.

“Don’t forget Dhoni, he is a true all-rounder. All-round abilities are not only about batting and bowling, its also about wicketkeeping and batting. He is the most important player at that key position of No.5 or 6, wherever the captain wants him to bat,” Kapil quipped.

The former captain also lauded the efforts of spin twins Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. The duo wreaked havoc in the Test series against Australia and showed the ability with the bat as well throughout the Indian Test season.

“Its very difficult to compare somebody. Ashwin, Jadeja have done far better job than anybody of us during our time. We have to believe in their abilities, after all they have proved and done so well in all forms,” he said.

Pakistan will be under pressure

Despite having defeated Pakistan on numerous occasions in World Cup matches, India trail their neighbours 2-1 when it comes clashes in the Champions Trophy. However, Kapil Dev felt Kohli’s men will come under no pressure when the two teams meet for their opening game on June 4 at Edgbaston.

“Don’t think there will be any such pressure on India. If I am batting against Pakistan it doesn’t matter what is our track record. I will play the ball to its merit. These are good things for the media to talk but when a player goes in, they don’t think like that. They just want to play and win it on that day,” he added.

Kapil Dev felt that the bowlers will have to capitalise in pace-friendly conditions in England. He also said that bowlers must focus on getting the ball to move, rather than attempting too many variations.

“The bowlers just need to stick to their line and length, which is the most important thing while bowling in English conditions. In England, you don’t need to try too many variety and just focus on moving the ball. It doesn’t matter how good the batsman is, if you can move the ball you are always going to dominate,” he said.

“In England, it is all about swinging the ball unlike our subcontinent conditions, where a perfect length ball can be easily dealt by the batsmen. But there in England if you have the ability to move the ball, it gets very difficult for the batsmen,” the former all-rounder said.

“I don’t know how the pitches are going to behave and the weather is during that period, that’s something we need to find out on the match day,” Kapil concluded.