Orange is One-off, Blue Remains Our Colour: Virat On ‘Away’ Jersey
From England’s performance to handling pressure, from Bhuvi to who will play at no 4, Virat shares his thoughts.
Captain Virat Kohli is impressed with newly designed orange dominated away jersey of the Indian team but maintained that blue will always remain their colour.
The Indian team needed to have a second choice jersey for the World Cup as per ICC's home and away rule and the navy-blue-orange jersey was officially unveiled by the India captain prior to their match against England in Birmingham on Sunday, 30 June.
"For one game, it's fine. I don't think permanently we'd be heading in that direction because blue has always been our colour, very proud to wear that. For a change and looking at the occasion, it's a very smart kit," Kohli told reporters on Saturday, 29 June.
"I quite like it, I think it's right up there. For me it would be eight. Honestly, I'm not saying it for the sake of it. I really like it. The contrast is very nice," Kohli said after being asked to rate the jersey on a scale of one to 10.
Virat on England’s Performance
Ahead of India’s clash with England, skipper Virat Kohli said that it was a surprise to see England struggle in this tournament. He also said that the team that is able to handle pressure well has a chance of winning.
Kohli was addressing a press conference for the launch of India’s ‘away kit’ that the team will be donning against England.
When asked about England’s performance so far, Kohli said, “Everyone is a bit surprise, we thought England is going to dominate in their own conditions but pressure is going to be a massive factor to handle and low scores are going to be defended.”
As the pitches in England and Wales became a point of discussion with many former and current players coming out and saying they did not expect the pitches to be dry and slow, Virat said that India did not come the World Cup venue with “any kind of expectations” as to pitches are going to be.
“In the last two matches, I’ve literally experienced that the pitch was deteriorating while I was playing. It is about finding ways to score run,” the skipper said.
Shami Hungry to Take Wickets
When asked about Bhuvneshwar Kumar and his replacement Mohammad Shami, who performed brilliantly in the last two matches, Virat said, “We know that Bhuvi is a world class bowler. Shami in the last year and a half has come around amazingly well. I have never seen (more) fitter and hungry to take wickets. And he knows how to pick wickets. He has that hunger within him.”
“Bhuvi is recovering fast when he gets fit, it’s going to be a bit of a headache for us to see what we’re going to do.”
Captain Kohli said he was happy with Shami, adding that there is no need to discuss Jasprit Bumrah as he has made his own space in the tournament.
What About No 4?
Vijay Shankar, who batted at number four in the previous matches, batted really well, feels Kohli. “I personally feel that he looked really solid and there’s not much that needs to be tickled. Sometimes n cricket, you need a bit of a luck to come over from 30 to 60 but you play a defining knock for the team.”
And Virat is confident that Vijay Shankar is going to play that knock for India.
Pressure? Yes, Virat Feels It Too
When asked about “additional world cup pressure” and how it he does not seem to be affected by it when he comes to bat, Kohli said, “I would say that’s a lie if I say I’m not under pressure. I’m probably good at hiding it.
“I am glad that I feel like that, if I don’t then probe;y I don’t have enough motivation to play anymore.”
(With inputs from PTI)
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