He has always been a quintessential hero of Indian batting line-up but skipper Virat Kohli is happy playing a protagonist, who does not mind letting his deputy Rohit Sharma take the World Cup centre-stage.
While Kohli’s five half centuries have been effortless,Rohit has overshadowed everyone with record five hundreds.
The Indian skipper isso used to getting one ton after another, it is a surprise for his legion offans to watch him go century-less for eight games in a row.
Asked if it bothers him, the ‘run-machine’ emphatically said”not at all.”
“It’s been a different kind of role that I’ve had toplay in this World Cup and as the captain of the team, I have been open toplaying any kind of role that the team wants me to,” the skipper said.
Rohit’s dominance is giving him and others a chance tocontrol the middle-over phase.
“It’s great that Rohit is scoring so consistently. Itmeans that coming in the latter half of the innings, you have to play adifferent role, which is controlling the middle overs and letting guys likeHardik, Kedar, MS in the past few games, and now Rishabh, come out and expressthemselves.”
Kohli the aggressor is now playing the role of sheet anchorand he is perfectly happy with it.
“So I have understood that roles can vary a lot inOne-day cricket, depending on the time you step into bat. I have been veryhappy with holding one end and letting guys express themselves striking at 150,160 or 200 if the team needs and I can accelerate in the end.”
The skipper feels that this World Cup has actually given hima chance to rediscover some of the other facets of ODI batting.
He has often played at number four and that has also helped him analyse situations. “I have learnt so much in this World Cup by spending time in the middle…. That okay, this is also a role that you are supposed to play.” PTI