Virat Kohli: Pandya and Bumrah are the team's X-factor

ByArun S Kaimal, SportsCafe Editor

03/14/2016

Ahead of the T20 WC clash with New Zealand, Virat Kohli expressed admiration at the ease with which new boys Bumrah and Pandya have settled in the squad, calling their contributions very impactful. Kohli also talked about how the middle order has looked in touch despite the lack of match practice.

Virat Kohli, who came into the Indian team and won the 2011 world cup, albeit in a different format, with lots of seniors in the side is now himself a senior member. The Delhi-born batsman showered praise on the new kids on the block, Pandya and Bumrah, drawing comparisons with his initial days in the side. “Youngsters have anxiety but these kids have more confidence and preparation than when we started,” said Kohli with a wry smile. “These boys have played a lot of T20 cricket in the IPL with senior players and big stars. They are fearless having played in IPL finals and having been at the big stage before,” Kohli noted of the two IPL winners (Bumrah and Pandya were part of the Mumbai Indians side that won the last IPL). Kohli continued, “They back their skills as they did in Ipl and that’s been the team’s x-factor. They have provided us with a key balance and their contribution has been very impactful since Australia.”

When asked abut the pressure of a home tournament as big as the World T20, Kohli chose to look at the opportunities that come along, saying “We take these as challenges and opportunities rather than as pressure. By your contribution if team wins that’s a great feeling.”

(Also read about the similar yet contrasting tale of Kohli & Amir - 2 players who were destined to reach the top)

The Indian middle order has had very little time in the middle thanks to the top order’s brilliant form. Kohli, however, brushed aside concerns of rustiness in the middle order saying, “The middle order hasn’t had so much of a chance to bat in too many games. But the warm-up games everyone got decent opportunity. Even in the last game, MS and Yuvi stepped in together needing 60 off 4 overs and almost got there. Everyone is looking good, everyone wants to contribute at whatever stage of the game they go in and whatever opportunity they get. That’s the most important thing.”

Having said that Kohli did not want to speculate about the team composition one day before the New Zealand game. “I cannot comment on the composition or the combination of the squad. It is very difficult to change something that has won us so many games. But different conditions require different kind of combinations, and it’s down to the captain and the management to decide that,” Kohli retorted.

On being asked whether returning pacer Shami will make the team, Kohli only had kind words to say. “He’s one guy who has gotten us wickets with the new ball, who attacked the batsman everywhere he played. A bowler like that is always a plus in the squad,” concluded Virat.

India take on New Zealand in the opener at Nagpur tomorrow.

(Read how Kohli is the favourite in the Pakistan women's cricket dressing room)