Youngsters copying Kohli's aggression, a worrying sign says Rahul Dravid

Captain’s aggression often is a diverging force in the team, with the players following similar trends. Since Virat Kohli became the skipper of Team India, the players have undergone a major attitudinal change in terms of fielding or just in terms of pure aggression on the ground. While people have congratulated the flamboyant right-handed batsman for a difference in the team’s approach to a match, there are others who have criticised the skipper for the same.

Rahul Dravid, speaking at the Bangalore Literature Festival feared that the youngsters would try to copy the Indian skipper’s on-field antics which would not do justice to their own playing style. He also said that it was Kohli’s approach before a big series, although the former Indian batsman cringes at times saying it is ‘outrageous’.

“Sometimes, especially before an Australia series, you’ll find Virat saying the most outrageous things. And I read the paper and cringe at times. But then I think back, maybe he actually wants that contest. He wants that lip on the field because that gets the best out of him. Now that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But at the end of the day, he’s got to do what gets the best out of him. Ajinkya Rahane is very different and he gets the best out of himself by doing different things. I think being authentic to yourself is very, very important, said the former batsman.

Don’t blame Kohli for his attitude

However, he also felt that if Kohli is able to perform well only if the contest is head-on then it is perfectly fine for him. “If engaging in a contest, sometimes needling the opposition, is getting the best out of Virat – and it certainly is because his level of performance is second to none in the world today – then so be it. You can’t blame him for it” the India junior team coach added.

What worries the former batsman is that this attitude might get translated into the junior cricket, where they will not be doing any justice to themselves or their natural style of play.

“What worries me a little bit is a lot of that gets translated into junior cricket. That’s the scary thing for me, not so much what Virat does. Kids at 12, 13, 14 want to become the next Virat Kohli, not realising that maybe that’s not authentic to who they are.” concluded the former batsman.