Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar believes that skipper Virat Kohli’s aggressive attitude and consistent performances have changed the players in the Indian dressing room for good.
“Virat Kohli hasn’t changed much since he got into the team, but people around him have changed. And his attitude has changed only because of his performances and consistency.”
“I noticed that spark and aggression in him , something which many guys were not fond of to be very honest. And there were many guys who were criticizing him for that. And today that has become the strength of the Indian team,” said Tendulkar speaking an event in the city.
Kohli, who notched up his 31st hundred in his 200th ODI against New Zealand on Sunday, is known for his aggressive and vocal attitude on the pitch. That is something which is reflected in the team’s dominant performances, according to Tendulkar.
Tendulkar also added that a player must be allowed some freedom to express himself on the pitch in order to bring out his best.
“And I think it is extremely crucial for a player to have that freedom to express himself in the middle. And some of these guys need to be given the freedom as long as they don’t cross the line because it brings the best out of them,” said Tendulkar.
Sharing his opinion on the current Indian cricket team, he says they are a far more well-balanced side - one that is capable of performing overseas as well.
“I feel that today we have got great balance in the team, with a lot of spinners and seamers that can bat,” opined Tendulkar.
He went on to cite Bhuneshwar Kumar’s performance against New Zealand on Sunday as an example. Bhuvneshwar hit a very good six off Adam Milne’s bowling, something that even earned the approval of skipper Virat Kohli.
“We saw Bhuneshwar (Kumar) play well yesterday. People like him and Hardik Pandya are going to change the balance of the team when we start travelling,” said Tendulkar.
“I just felt that we were occasionally missing that guy earlier; someone who could come and give some rest to the main bowlers,” he added.