Focus, adaptability and the ability to set aside negatives of pressure and take the positives out of sticky situations is key to victory in the T20 format, says Virat Kohli, India’s young Test captain and batting mainstay in recent years.
"This format requires you to be at the top of your focus while batting and fielding. So we need to stay in the moment and not get carried away," Kohli said at Mohali on the eve of India’s third do-or-die match, this time against Australia.
The key to success in a world event is adaptability to conditions that differ from match to match. “It is very important to assess conditions. We do have meetings on what can be done on different surface. You need to plan according to your strength. On game day, too much pre-planning doesn't help. Adaptability is key in this competition," he said.
As for tonight, Kohli said it will be crucial to stop Aussie skipper Steve Smith. "He is a very important player for Australia. The way their batting unit works, someone like Smith gives them solidarity. He is a world class player and you always want the big players out. That is what we will try to do as well," said Kohli, adding that the team would be taking the positivies out of the 3-0 T20 victory against Australia in Australia.
The win against Bangladesh, he admitted, was a humbling experience for a team which was touted to be the most dominating force for the tournament but has been able to manage a woeful defeat against New Zealand on a turning track and two tight wins against Pakistan and Bangladesh in its World T20 campaign.
"It was very good to get that win. It is very difficult to be consistent in this formant and you need to come to terms with that. Sometimes you need character to get you over the line and that is why our spinners and Hardik were brilliant,” he explained.
Asked how he preps himself for crucial high-pressure matches like the one against Australia, Kohli asked with a laugh: "Do I look like a pooja paath guyIJ When I started, a lot about me was wrong. I was the tattoo guy, the one who wore stylish clothes. The basic thinking is I want to improve as a cricketer every day. I make sure I do all the hard work and hope it pays off one day. As a cricketer, you don't have a long career. You work so hard and you want that satisfaction," he explained.
Talking about Dhoni’s super cool attitaude durng the explosive last over against Bangladesh, Kohli said: "Experience counts a lot in these situations. He has captained India in such big games and has that self assurance built over a period of time. We all know he is composed and calm. While I was standing at the boundary, there was Ashu bhai (Nehra) to talk to him. MS got good suggestions from him and it was an important moment for us. The most staggering part was that he did not throw the ball and was very sure that he could beat the batsman with pace. It was brilliant from him under the circumstances."