Team India captain Virat Kohli on Monday said his team had hit the “auto mode” going into the 2019 World Cup and there weren’t too many areas of concern for him at the moment.
India is runaway favourite for the 50-over global tournament after dominating series wins in Australia and New Zealand.
Good signs
“I have said that No. 4 is a position that we are looking to solidify, but when (Ambati) Rayudu starts playing like that, you start feeling more confident about the batting line-up,” Kohli said at the post-match press conference here on Monday.
“Dinesh (Karthik) is in great form as well, he can step in at any time if we need to shuffle the middle-order. MS (Dhoni) is hitting the ball really well, so I don’t think we have a lot to worry about,” the skipper exuded confidence.
Asked if the intensity would drop (in his absence for the following two ODIs and three T20s), the skipper replied: “Not at all. Now things are more or less running in auto mode for us.
“When these two guys (Karthik and Rayudu) were finishing the game for us, we were all sitting together and clapping for every run. I don’t think that intensity will drop.”
He also hoped all-rounder Hardik Pandya would come out a “better cricketer” and scale new heights after making a promising return from the suspension that followed his sexist remarks on a TV show.
Pandya did not get to bat in the third ODI, but bowled and fielded with purpose, taking two crucial wickets and a brilliant catch to send back Kane Williamson.
Kohli had words of encouragement for the all-rounder.
“In life, there are only two ways to deal with a situation like that. Either you hit rock bottom or you can learn from the situation and see it as a motivation to make things right,” he said.
On road to redemption
The skipper said Pandya showed the required intensity in his comeback game and was already on the road to redemption.
Kohli said any team in the world would love to have Pandya.
“It is very very good to have him. He provides balance to the team. The way he bowled today showed that he went back and was practising his skills.
“He is someone who will give you those important contributions in all three departments. The team also looks much more balanced with him around. He is in a good head space and I hope he can continue with that,” added Kohli.
