Kohli backs Saha to be new Test keeper
India Test captain Virat Kohli feels Kings XI Punjab's Wriddhiman Saha is the perfect man to permanently replace Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the stumps in whites, saying he's earned his chance.
Dhoni retired from Test cricket during the tour to Australia earlier this year, in the middle of the Test series, leaving Kohli to take over. Saha has played only four Tests, but the skipper feels the 30-year-old has a bright future.
Kohli said: "He deserves this opportunity more than anyone else. Every time he's got to play has been when MS has been injured. But now his time to be permanent in Tests has come, and I'm very exited about it.
"At 30, he's very fit and extremely hard working. He deserves that spot in the Test side for at least the next 5-6 years."
As for his own new role, Kohli, who captains the Royal Challengers Bangalore, feels he's the right man for the job. He has been under scrutiny for his aggressive antics on and off the field, but he still says he's better for it.
He added: "Captaincy brings out the best in me. As a captain it's my job to give everyone in my team a sense of ownership about what they're doing. That keeps the team united, and they're all on the same page.
"My own game improves when I am captaining, I am sharper and more focused on my own game too."
Latest
-
NewsStephen Eskinazi stars in record-breaking Middlesex win over Gloucestershire
Paul Stirling made the first century of the Vitality Blast season for Birmingham Bears.
-
NewsOllie Robinson’s England hopes scuppered by back problem
The seamer was plagued by persistent back issues during the Ashes series and missed all three matches against the West Indies.
-
NewsJustin Langer blames politics for Australia exit and laughs off England links
Langer was linked with one of the two vacant posts with England.
-
NewsHe deserves to be there – England’s Matthew Potts backed to shine in Test arena
Potts has received his first international call-up for the squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
-
NewsOn this day in 2015: Trevor Bayliss appointed England head coach
The Australian leapfrogged initial front-runner Jason Gillespie to replace the sacked Peter Moores.
-
NewsAndrew Strauss sets five-year goal for England men’s side to rule all formats
The former England captain and director of cricket is overseeing a high performance review into English cricket.
-
NewsShane Warne to be remembered during England’s Test with New Zealand at Lord’s
The former player and TV pundit died aged 52 on March 4 after a suspected heart attack.
-
NewsSport moves fast – Ben Compton goes from relative unknown to England contention
The opener is averaging a spectacular 109.75 after amassing 878 LV= Insurance County Championship runs.
-
NewsDom Sibley can show he is England’s ‘best opener’ says team-mate Michael Burgess
The Warwickshire pair are part of a County Select XI that will face New Zealand in Chelmsford on Thursday.
-
County CricketWarwickshire chief executive insists The Hundred and Vitality Blast can coexist
Questions have been raised after reports of slow ticket sales for the Blast.