Pakistan can spring a surprise, says Virat Kohli

I don’t even know, I don’t want to know. He asked the players to show fighting spirit and take on Virat Kohli and boys with confidence.

“It has been followed last time as well, and I didn’t see any issues being created last time”.

Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming believes that Virat Kohli-led Team India will have an edge over arch-rivals Pakistan when the two neighbours face off in their Champions Trophy opener in Birmingham on Sunday.

There have been constant reports and insinuations flying around the alleged cold waters between the Indian coach and captain.

Ramachandra Guha, who quit a Supreme Court-appointed four-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) overseeing the BCCI in protest, has said in his letter of resignation, “If indeed the captain and the head coach were not getting along, why was this not attended to as soon as the Australia series was over in late March?”

Kohli also said that it has been really good journey with Kumble and he doesn’t need to elaborate about the process. “It’s human nature. When you don’t know about something completely, don’t spread rumours and speculate, just focus on cricket”, he said. I have vivid memories of his sublime century against us in the 2012 Asia Cup, while he was at his absolute best in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 clash at Adelaide, laying the foundation of an Indian win with a masterful hundred.

Kohli, however, indirectly admitted to a tiff with the former leg-spinner, saying there could be difference of opinion and such things are common in every walk of life. Kohli has been the man most opposing teams like to dismiss cheaply as he has been the mainstay of India’s batting.

“Priceless to have MS Dhoni thoughts in the team”.

Arthur explained: “We can’t think “it’s India, we have to lift ourselves” because that would be very unprofessional”. In any case, the Pakistani team of the day is no match for its teams of the past.

“India have quality players with experience, whereas Pakistan are probably on the way up. Pakistan team doesn’t have any game plan especially when they are facing India, while on the other hand, the Indians enter the match with complete home work, and they know strengths and weaknesses of green caps”.

“Pakistan can beat anyone on their day”. Considering the team is in the middle of an important tournament, Ganguly said it was best if the focus was kept on cricket. Nearly every Indian fan is anxious about India’s preparation for the big match on Sunday, thanks to the coach-captain split. Hardik Pandya thus remains in the equation as the arsenal available to Kohli (and Kumble) is a “good headache to have”.

Kohli had reportedly given feedback to the BCCI expressing concerns about Kumble’s style of coaching, which one board official said had been described as “intimidating”.

Was that message for Anil Kumble?

Also read: Should there be no Indian cricket fans in Pakistan?