Wriddhiman deserves a chance: Kohli

NEW DELHI: MS Dhoni's retirement from Test cricket left a huge void in the Indian team. Not only did India lose a good captain, but also one of its finest wicket-keepers. While India now have a new Test captain in Virat Kohli, it will be interesting to see who replaces MSD as India's new wicket-keeper. The options are plenty but according to Kohli, it's Wriddhiman Saha who deserves a chance.
"First of all, we need to appreciate what MS has done for Indian cricket. It's a huge responsibility to be in a position of a captain now. I understand and realize that. We have a lot of good wicket-keeper batsmen in Wriddhiman Saha, Sanju Samson, Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel. However, my money is on Saha. He has been a part of the team for a while. He is a very hardworking guy.
"He really believes in his batting and his keeping is world-class. I am excited for him to get that opportunity now. He only played when MS could not play. He feels it's time for him to get his chance now as he is 30. He is still very fit and quick. I hope he gets another 5-6 years of Test cricket and gets a fair chance as he deserves it," Kohli said on Saturday.
Kohli said he enjoys captaincy as it makes him a better player and helps him grow both as person and a cricketer. "I have been captaining the ODI team on and off and enjoyed that role. I like to give guys an equal ownership in the team. I have created an environment where everyone feels they have to contribute to the team's success. It's not left to the senior players or the captain. We play in a united way. "I myself feel that my game improves when I take that responsibility. It brings out the best in me. It does not burden me but makes me more focused. It requires a lot of skill. You need to understand what a player likes and dislikes, how you need to speak to him in order to motivate him, to get him on the same page as others. It's a skill that I am learning and it will help me in my day to day life as well. I might become more calm," he smiled.
Asked if he had any regrets about the incident in Australia where he lashed out at a senior journalist, he said, "I do not live in the past. I am not going to comment on that. I am not here to create any controversy. Let's keep it happy and simple and leave it at that." Kohli spoke to the media at the launch of his fitness centres and gyms under the name of 'Chisel'.