Rankings are just an incentive, our priority is to win: Virat Kohli

Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli has suggested that the team’s focus is on playing a good brand of cricket and not on player or team rankings.

Kohli along with the new head coach Anil Kumble were at the pre-departure press conference ahead of the Test series against West Indies at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday. “Rankings are just an incentive. If we win the series, we climb to No. 1 spot which is obviously good for us. We want to play good cricket. Home or away, our priority is to win,” Kohli said.

The 27-year old went on to add that the Indian batting unit must improve their game and make sure to get a good start. “If you start well in a session we are going to do well, if we lose wickets early, it’ll be difficult,” he said.

Speaking about the wicket-keeping options in the team, he said that KL Rahul will take the gloves if India’s regular Test ‘keeper Wriddhiman Saha isn’t available during the West Indies tour.

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Mohammed Shami is making his comeback into the side after he was ruled out ahead of India’s home series against South Africa in 2015. He recently played well in the domestic season including the iconic first pink ball match in India, where he had great success picking a five-wicket haul. “Shami is eager to make a comeback. I’m glad to have him back in the team,” Kohli said.

India and West Indies are set to play a four-match Test series in the Caribbean, starting from July 14 at North Sound.