Virat Kohli reckons that India will not take Sri Lanka lightly

After a lot of drama, Indian skipper Virat Kohli has finally got the man of his choice as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Ravi Shastri is back in action for the second time. He will begin his second innings with a Test series against the Lankan lions. Shastri defeated the likes of Virender Sehwag and Tom Moody to become the first man of the Indian cricket team.

According to reports, Shastri had a strong backing from Kohli and hence Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) had to appoint him. Now that Kohli has reunited with the former Indian all-rounder, cricket enthusiasts are hoping for a good show against Sri Lanka.

Opener Murali Vijay won’t be featuring in the roster of the team as he is nursing a wrist injury. India’s limited overs’ opener Shikhar Dhawan or left-handed batsman Abhinav Mukund will be taking Vijay’s place to open the innings alongside mainstay KL Rahul.

Kohli is optimistic about his team’s performance and is not too concerned about Vijay’s omission from the roster. “Every player comes to the team wanting to perform. Injuries are an unfortunate part of the sport. Vijay was back from rehab and played a game and told selectors he was not match-fit. That is the kind of culture being created. People are honest,” said India’s 28-year old during the media conference.

He also told that instead of sinking under pressure, his men are ready to grab any opportunity that comes their way. “Abhinav (Mukund) is there, he has played a lot of domestic cricket. Shikhar got a hundred here last time and then he had to miss a couple of games. (Cheteshwar) Pujara opened in the last Test (in Dharamsala). So guys are looking these scenarios as opportunities rather than getting under pressure. I am sure they are going to be up for it,” said the Delhi-lad.

He also confirmed that India won’t be taking the Lankans lightly after their lackluster performance against Zimbabwe. ” Not at all. I remember we came here two years back after tour of Australia, we were six or seven in the rankings. That particular series in Sri Lanka gave us belief. It taught us to come together as a team. Everyone in the team knows this is where it all started after losing the first Test in Galle. It was a dent for us. The way we came together on the last tour is iconic for us,” said Kohli referring to his first Test series as the captain of the team where India won 2-1 against Sri Lanka.

Kohli wants his players to be in the right frame of mind. “All you need is that players are in the frame of mind so that they can be at their best. After you take the field, you are expected to take over and adapt to situations. That is something we have been doing well in the past few years,” said the leader of men in blue.

On tackling Rangana Herath

Veteran Lankan spinner Rangana Herath recently went past the likes of Malcolm Marshall and Ian Botham in terms of the number of Test wickets. About handling Herath, Kohli said, “He is such a good bowler. If you don’t find a solution to tackle him, then he will do what he did at Galle. You have to stay a step ahead of the opposition and find ways to counter it. If mistakes happen consistently and then you are not improving as a side.”