After Anil Kumble leaving the post of the coach, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has started to the selection process for appointing next head coach of the Indian cricket team. Kumble had stepped down saying that Kohli had reservations with his working style and that the relationship between both had become untenable. He also did not accompany the team to West Indies for the series and stayed in London.
When asked in a pre-match conference ahead of third ODI, if he would like to give any suggestions for the coach, skipper Virat Kohli said, “From a personal point of view, I can’t pinpoint anything or give any details. We as a team only voice our opinion when asked by the BCCI.”
Kohli believes that the suggestions given are first asked the team and is not something that can be decided individually. “This is a process we always go through and something we respect as a team. It’s something that is asked to the team and not in segregation. The same procedure, as and when it takes place, we will give our suggestions to the BCCI,” Kohli said.
Right now he is more focused on winning the series against the Caribbeans. He said, “Right now, we have series at hand and this is what we are focussed on. The process is taking place and that is something which is in the control of BCCI. We are not focussed on anything else at the moment. Our priority is coming here and winning the series and preparing for the game that lies ahead of us.”
When asked that whether he has become calmer and equipped in handling media as his matured answers suggest, Kohli said,”It’s something that you become immune to after a while. It is something that happened quite a bit in the last few years. At the end of the day, what matters is you what you do on the field. Whether media covers you or not that doesn’t matter. I think it is a distraction early on in your career but after a while, you don’t get distracted by these things.”
He also added he has to focus on what is necessary and not to think about much attention.
Apart from Virender Sehwag, Dodda Ganesh, Richard Pybus, Lalchand Rajput and Tom Moody, who have already applied for the post, former India skipper Ravi Shastri, who has also served as Team Director, also decided to take part in the race. Ravi Shastri is considered close to Kohli and the skipper had also met the CAC to consider his name for the post even before he had applied.