Kumble backs Kohli's aggressive mindset

[rkt.india]

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India's new head coach, has said he will back Virat Kohli's aggression and desire to push all boundaries to secure wins. He also said India would approach tough situations positively during the long Test season that starts with a four-match series in the West Indies.

"I love his aggression. I was no different," Kumble said at the team's pre-departure press conference in Bangalore. "I was also aggressive, but very different in terms of how I probably came across on the field. I'll be the last person to curb someone's natural instincts, but of course we all know how important it is to be the ambassadors of India and be a part of the Indian cricket team. That everybody in the team understands. There is a fine line and we will ensure that everybody knows that. I certainly won't curb anyone's instincts."

Kohli, a picture of composure, wore a sheepish smile as talk of his "over-aggression" did the rounds, but insisted that India's mindset change wasn't a one-off, and that it was something they had planned when he took over the reins of the Test team in January 2015.

"Our first intention is to win - that won't change," he said. "Yes, there have been situations from where we've lost, but we know we were in that position because of the positive brand of cricket that we played." The reference, clearly not lost on anyone, was the Adelaide Test in December 2014, which India lost while trying to chase down 364 on the final day.

"We need to realise we got there in the first place because we played at 80%, so the focus is on the remaining 20%. Anil bhai's mindset was the same during his playing days, so the mindset makes a difference. If you are hesitant, you don't explore a different side to our ability as a team. Our motive is the same. We will play with the same mindset of trying to win the series and not just being satisfied with solitary Test wins."

As a follow-up, Kohli was asked about Test rankings, which he said were merely a byproduct of consistent cricket, and not the team's primary aim. "High standards have different definitions," he elaborated. "The main goal is to play good cricket. Even if we're No. 1 and someone else does better, there's a chance they can overtake you. So that's not our aim. The season is long, and we're playing the same format over a length of time. So there's an opportunity to use this stretch to challenge ourselves. That will give us a chance to assess ourselves and will determine how we play Test cricket over the next few years."

Where Kohli felt the team had benefited most during the week-long camp in Bangalore was in the players' personal interactions with Kumble and the manner in which he may have broken down barriers within the group. Kohli highlighted Kumble's interaction with the group on the mental aspect of dealing with pressure.

"We haven't had too many camps before, but I feel there's already a lot that the team has benefited from," Kohli said. "If you have experience of facing different situations in the past, you are better equipped. Understanding of skills and understanding of mindset are two different things. Mindset can't be taught, but it comes only when you have faced tough situations, and that's one big difference.

"The information we've got from him about mental adjustments needed to win has been a big boost. He's been more than willing to speak to everyone equally - the pacers, spinners, batsmen - and address their concerns. There's an emotional connect with the coach, no doubt, but it's about how he makes the players feel comfortable. That's what I believe.

"Anil bhai has all those qualities in abundance. There's huge respect within the group for what he's achieved and also because he's been Test captain. He understands that and makes them comfortable, so I feel the combination has settled in beautifully. He's been involved with the players in some way or the other throughout."

Kohli brushed aside concerns over an elbow injury sustained by R Ashwin while batting during the camp, saying he had only suffered a bruise.

When asked about Mohammed Shami's return to the Test side for the first time since recovering from a long-term knee injury, Kohli enthused about his ability to generate reverse-swing. The skill was on display on his debut against West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where he returned match figures of 9 for 118. Those, incidentally, are the best figures by an Indian fast bowler on Test debut.

"Shami is a skillful guy, we all know that. The way he bowls, the way he releases the ball, pitches the ball, it's more or less perfect for Test cricket," Kohli said. "The lines and lengths he bowls are always attacking. The best thing is when it's seaming and swinging, he can bowl conventional lines and lengths. If it's reverse-swinging, he knows exactly where to bring in the ball from. He has a great sense and feel of how to get batsmen out. We have been working with him on the mental strength aspect of his game. More consistency is something we push for him.

"He's eager to prove himself and come back after injury. We've seen when West Indies came to India in 2013, how he brought out his reverse-swing skills. Even in Adelaide in one of the sessions he brought us back into the game with two wickets. So he's always someone on whom we can bank in terms of picking wickets. In short bursts, if you want a good attacking spell, Shami can deliver that for you. He's got pace, a great bouncer - so he's someone we always back because he knows he can take two-three wickets for us at any stage. I'm glad to have him back."

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/1032181.html

[Ankit_sharma03]

Aggresive mindset is only one thing that is to get out their and look for win which is what kohli looks for and kumble is rightly so by dismissing all people asking for change in the mindset. Somehow in India i dnt know y aggresive mindset is being considered as being rude or being rowdy. M happy to see whatever kumble is bringing to this team in terms of mindset and skill both. 

I think its gr8 to have someone with bowlers mindset in dressing room specially an aggresive and fighter spirit

[express bowling]

Interesting points discussed by Kohli about Shami. Looks like he backs Shami's skills and pace.  Working on Shami's consistency, especially in test matches, is one important aspect that requires attention and the team management seems to be focussing on this aspect.

 

Kumble's appointment seems to have brought about identification and trying to rectify  the weak points of each and every player....and that is really good.

[sourab10forever]

28 minutes ago, express bowling said:

Interesting points discussed by Kohli about Shami. Looks like he backs Shami's skills and pace.  Working on Shami's consistency, especially in test matches, is one important aspect that requires attention and the team management seems to be focussing on this aspect.

 

Kumble's appointment seems to have brought about identification and trying to rectify  the weak points of each and every player....and that is really good.

Yes. he really looks determined to make a mark even though his appointment is only for a year. Unlike previous coaches, he has been more active and is willing to give his full time. Him giving a full hour presentation with a proper road map just shows is interest in the job.

He deserves this job even if did not have any skills.His hardwork compensates for it. 

[FischerTal]

you need real fast bowlers. aggression is nothing without actual fast bowlers who can scare opposition. aggressive stuart binny will only provide comical relief for opposition.

Edited July 5, 2016 by FischerTal

[tweaker]

For winning abroad our bowlers ie Ishant,Yadav,Shami,Kumar should be consistent.We have seen for the most time our bowlers loose their focus after they pick 2,3 quick wickets.They should work as a team as our bowlers has not shown capacity to run through sides.

Kohli should also look after the workload of bowlers,we have seen if one bowler is bowling well he is made to bowl more.Instead of preconceived notions,team should be choosen on horses for the course policy.

[Nova]

Here's the video of the press conference

 

 

[rkt.india]

3 hours ago, tweaker said:

For winning abroad our bowlers ie Ishant,Yadav,Shami,Kumar should be consistent.We have seen for the most time our bowlers loose their focus after they pick 2,3 quick wickets.They should work as a team as our bowlers has not shown capacity to run through sides.

Kohli should also look after the workload of bowlers,we have seen if one bowler is bowling well he is made to bowl more.Instead of preconceived notions,team should be choosen on horses for the course policy.

it is due to lack of concentration. Like batsmen, bowler too needs to concentrate on every delivery but it still need to keep things simple in test cricket.

[Ankit_sharma03]

42 minutes ago, rkt.india said:

it is due to lack of concentration. Like batsmen, bowler too needs to concentrate on every delivery but it still need to keep things simple in test cricket.

Concentration problem is due to playing a lot of short formats cricket which has made bowlers lack patience. They look to try something new every ball rather in test matches u have to keep it there and setup batsman. Also bowlers n captains quickly go into defensive mindsets after 2-3 boundaries, whereas in past ull see many time gr8 bowlers use to offer boundaries to setup a batsman. 

 

Another reason our bowlers lack that extra sting is a lot of times they have to hold themselves back as we lack 5-6 bowling option now post sachin, saurav, sehwag. If we want to see Ishant, shami, umesh, aaron bowling quick n pacy spell they ll have to be given shorter spells and for that we need a 5th bowler. Thats y i think someone like binny is important as he bowls those extra overs giving rest to our main bowlers and he doesnt give too many runs away. Add to that he bowls such line that to much flirting with it can give u wkts. Take Shami,zaheer, Bhuvi for eg in Eng,nz,Sa tours where they had to bowl long long spells which affected them midway the tour.

 

Our bowlers also have some individual issues like

1. Ishant- Had his wrist position and runup issues. His follow through is still not smooth and most times i feel he is confused about his role which is to hold or to take wkts. But god knws y he changed his action from when he debuted

2. Umesh- like many Outswing bowlers he tries to take the ball away from middle stump to outside off which if works looks wonderful but more often then not it ends up straying on legs. I remember sreesanth had same issue. Off lately i feel he doesnt use his bouncers well .

3. Shami- I think its his fitness more than anything which holds him back in test matches and injuries tht keeps him out of rhythm. 

4. Aaron- Well has played to less to have any idea about his game so tries all sought of things and what makes it worst is the lack of control.