Virat Kohli expects better balance with Hardik Pandya’s return

Virat Kohli expects better balance with Hardik Pandya’s return: The Indian captain was vocal about the 2019 World Cup.

India captain Virat Kohli remained firm on his statement regarding the Indian team expecting just one change in the squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Speaking during the post-series press conference in Delhi, Kohli laid emphasis not considering experimenting as an excuse for losing the series.

“We don’t consider it [continuous experiments in the last three matches] as an excuse for losing the series. You expect anyone who plays for India to come an perform. In terms of team combination, we are quite sorted. One can expect to see just one change in the squad based on conditions,” Kohli was quoted as saying.

Assuring the reporters that the team management is sure of the playing XI, Kohli said that the focus should be more on making right decisions than the playing XI. “Leaving that [one change for World Cup squad] aside, we are quite sure of our playing XI.

“The team can still underperform with the decided playing XI, then one cannot blame the selection. We should rather focus on the decisions that went wrong,” Kohli said.

Kohli expects balance from Hardik Pandya

India will be bolstered by the return of all-rounder Hardik for the world event. If he plays to his potential, he has it in it to play a pivotal part for India in the upcoming months. Even the skipper hoped of the all-rounder bringing in balance across divisions in the squad.

“As a side, we are quite balanced, and once Hardik Pandya returns, it will increase our batting depth and as well as provide options with the ball. We just need to take better decisions in pressure situations. We are absolutely clear about the pressure situations and there’s no confusion at all,” Kohli added.

“Every team in the World Cup is a threat “

Going by the prevailing notions, there are a lot of talks about hosts England and India being the favourites for the tournament. Being asked about the same, the 30-year old cricketer considered every team as a “threat” during the World Cup.

“Honestly, every team in the World Cup is a threat. Anyone who gets on a roll in the World Cup is difficult to stop [that team]. Having said that, any team who is on a roll can be knocked out in the knockout matches,” Kohli mentioned.

Throwing light on consistency and good decisions throughout the tournament, Kohli opined on the lines of taking the correct mindset to the World Cup and treating everyone equally.

“I don’t think any one team starts as favourites in the World Cup. You have to play good cricket to win the World Cup. As good a side as you are, if you don’t make good decisions, other teams are not going to hand you over a victory on a plate.

“West Indies, England, New Zealand look strong, we are strong, now even Australia look balanced, Pakistan can defeat anyone on their day. It’s very important to understand what mindset you take to the World Cup,” Kohli concluded.

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