Kohli was little over the top in SA: Waugh

Monaco, February 27

Virat Kohli’s aggression was “a little over the top” during the recent tour of South Africa but it’s part of his development as a charismatic India captain, feels former Australia skipper Steve Waugh. “I have seen him in South Africa and I feel he was a little over the top. But that’s a learning thing for a captain,” said Waugh on the sidelines of the Laureus World Sports Awards.  

“As a captain, he’s still developing and needs to pull in his excitement and emotions sometimes,” he said. “I think he just needs to get a bit aware that everyone in the side can’t play in that fashion. Someone like (Ajinkya) Rahane and (Cheteshwar) Pujara are very calm and quiet guys, so he needs to understand that some players are different. At times he probably needs to tone his aggression down and at times he needs to lift it, so he needs to work out what’s right.”

The Australian great, however, insisted that he has immense respect for Kohli. “He has the charisma and X-factor, so he wants the team to follow him. He wants the team to play positively all the time and win as quickly as he can,” observed Waugh.  

‘Tough to win in Australia’

Kohli and India have now set their sights on conquering England and Australia, India’s upcoming two big Test challenges later this year. India will play a five-Test series in England in August and September and then a four-Test series in Australia. Waugh, however, feels it won’t be easy for India to win in England and Australia. “Australia will be favourites in Australia because we have got such a great record, just like India in India. Virat (Kohli) would obviously be the key in Australia. He was amazing in Australia last time,” he said. “India are playing with great confidence and passion. They believe they can win in Australia no doubt.” 

Even as Waugh maintained Australia would be the favourites at home, he felt the pitches would suit India more than they did in the past. “The pitches are very benign at the moment, so they will suit the Indian batsmen and the spinners more. It will make the series very competitive.”      

Talking about Kohli’s predecessor MS Dhoni, Waugh said the inspirational wicketkeeper-batsman is looking good enough to carry on till at least next year’s World Cup. “He (Dhoni) is still a great player but he needs to have that energy and spark, which he has right now. But 12 months is still a long time,” said Waugh. — PTI

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