Mumbai, Nov 24: Talented batsman Virat Kohli, who made his debut against the West Indies in the Caribbean earlier this year, is currently playing his first Test match on Indian soil against the same opposition. The Delhi batsman has been a regular feature in the ODI line-up for India but is yet to establish himself in the Test side. In an exclusive interview with bcci.tv, the 23-year-old said that he would be looking to make the opportunity count.

Excerpts:

On his first Test match in India

It’s very different from playing in the West Indies because you’ve got the home crowd’s support. Playing at home, and specially in Wankhede [Stadium], where a lot of people are turning up, makes it a good atmosphere and I am happy to be part of the Test match. I’m looking forward to getting to bat because this is one format [where] I want to make an impact. I don’t want to get too desperate so I’m going to go and look to enjoy my game. It is a great feeling playing a Test match in India.

On India’s quest to regain the No. 1 Test spot

It is very important for every youngster who gets a chance to step up and perform because that’s going to help India going forward and getting back to that No. 1 spot. We are not too desperate but we want to play good cricket and want to make good contributions at the right time. It’s all about grabbing the opportunities. If we end up scoring runs when given opportunities it’s going to put the team in a good position as well.

On the pressure of being considered a future star in the middle-order

Test cricket is a very high-pressure game and as I said, I just want to enjoy my cricket. I don’t really pay attention to people saying that I might be part of the middle-order in the future. I want to keep improving as a cricketer every day. If that happens I will certainly be privileged to be part of that middle-order because I like to take responsibility. I like to play under pressure. That way I am focussed and am concentrating all the time. It takes a lot to actually fill in the shoes of all the greats so I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. As long as I get to play with these people and learn as much as possible, it’s going to be good for me.

On playing alongside Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman

It’s been a dream come true. I never imagined that I would share the dressing room with all these greats. I used to go and watch India matches whenever they used to happen in Delhi and I used to watch all these people play and used to want to play for India one day; but I never imagined I would actually get to talk about cricket to these three greats of Indian cricket – Virender Sehwag too. These four have had a huge impact on Indian cricket in the last 15-20 years […] You get to learn about their discipline, about their different lifestyles. […] As far as the game is concerned, we all look up to them and learn as much as possible because these are the people we have grown up watching; they’ve inspired us to play cricket for India.

On the lessons picked up from the illustrious seniors

The kind of determination and discipline that they have, especially on the cricket field, is wonderful to watch. It’s not easy to fill in their shoes because they have worked hard for 15-20 years. […] Sachin has been working hard for 22 years; it’s unbelievable. To have that much passion for the game and dedication is something that we learn from them and something that we would want to actually make a habit ourselves. It’s always great to see them work so hard on the cricket field even after achieving so much; they still want to score runs and still want to make Team India win.

On youngsters like Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina

We all share the same group and it’s all about who gets to play at some point of time. Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina – they are all quality cricketers. That’s a good thing for India because these are the people who are going to play in the future and stabilise the team. All of them are brilliant batsmen and to [add to that] they are brilliant fielders as well. It’s going to be the whole package that will help Team India in the future. When I came into the team, Rohit was a regular member and then when I started playing Rohit had to unfortunately sit out. It’s always been like that and it’s good that all of us are getting to play enough cricket for the future for the Indian cricket team.

On the bowling shaping well with two spinners and three pacers

It’s heartening to see Umesh [Yadav] and Varun [Aaron] because Ishant [Sharma] is obviously the senior member in the team now; he’s been around a lot. […] To see Varun and Umesh bowl at 140, 145 kmph, that gives you a nice feeling because […] when the situation is tough they can come and reverse swing the ball and try to get you important breakthroughs. Umesh has done really well [earlier] and Varun bowled really well in this game […] The more confidence and experience they gain, the better it is for the team. Fast bowlers are an asset to the team […] It’s a pleasant change for [our] bowling attack.

And amongst the spinners – [Pragyan] Ojha has been around a lot. He’s not played that much but he is a quality bowler. Whenever given a chance he has always taken wickets for the team and the most impressive thing about him is that he doesn’t give away runs, so the economy-rate is under check as well. [R] Ashwin [is] very tough to face. I have faced him in matches as well and I can tell you he is a quality spinner […] He has a sharp cricketing brain and that shows on the field. He always has a Plan B or Plan C when the situation is tough. It is good to see all these bowlers coming together. A fresh bowling attack gelling well together and taking wickets is always a good sign.

On ex-coach Gary Kirsten and his successor Duncan Fletcher

It’s a very different situation for me. When I came into the team Gary was the coach so his approach towards me was different from what Duncan would have right now because I have played 70 odd one-day matches now. When I came [in] I hadn’t played even one. The way Gary handled my mindset was brilliant and I loved playing under him and now Duncan as well; he analyses and watches [one’s game] initially for a series or two. After that he will try and tell you things that might help but he doesn’t like to interfere too much. He believes in the players doing the things that they have been doing in recent times to perform well. But if he sees something in your batting which he can help, he lets you know […] Both are brilliant in their own respect.

On West Indies’ turnaround in the absence of Shivnarine Chanderpaul

They have batted brilliantly but the wicket was also very good to bat on. But it takes good batting to get a good total […] Especially Darren Bravo. He has been consistent for them in recent times. I have played with him from [the] Under-19 [years] and he is a good friend of mine. It is a pleasure to watch him bat. He’s very stylish and elegant and far more consistent now than when he started. Credit to him and the rest of the batsmen that they put up a big total.

On the tour to Australia

Right now I’m thinking about this Test match; I need to bat tomorrow. We still have a [while to go before] Australia; we still have a one-day series to play [against West Indies]. I can probably think about the Australia tour in between those matches if I get into that Test team but right now my focus is on my batting.