New Delhi, May 24:
Before departing for the prestigious Champions Trophy, Team India skipper Virat Kohli today termed their opening encounter against Pakistan as just any another game of cricket.
Addressing mediapersons, the India run-machine said,”Yes its always very exciting for the fans but in our heads nothing changes,its just a game of cricket.”
India, who will be entering the tournament as defending champions, will be taking on arch-rivals Pakistan on June 4 before playing Sri Lanka on June 8 and South Africa on June 11.
Speaking on the challenge at the tournament, Kohli said,”Biggest challenge is to not think that we are the defending champions.”
“Last time too, we went there (England) to enjoy and that is what we will looking at again. We have done well in Test cricket and T20s and we want to make that success constant in all three formats,” added the 28-year-old in Mumbai before flying-off to England.
“The last Champions Trophy helped us find the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. The spinners did well but the performance of the pacers was also a big revelation. You need to play according to the situation and we need to get used to the conditions quickly as possible,” said Kohli.
Commenting on the presence of seniors like Dhoni and Yuvraj, the skipper said,”If Dhoni and Yuvraj play with freedom then it boosts the morale of the team and that’s what was seen during the series against England.”
Significantly, it will be the first time when Kohli will be leading Team India in a major ICC event, which begins from June 1 when hosts England will take on Bangladesh.
India had won the tournament in 2013 under the leadership of former captain MS Dhoni after beating England in the finals. (UNI)
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