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'Yes, you can say that Delhi instinct kicks in when I am playing.
'But if you are talking about typical Delhi boy, I can talk about myself; I try to do the right things'
The Indian cricket team's new-found aggression which resulted in a few on-field altercations has drawn much criticism, but Test skipper Virat Kohli refused to be drawn into the brouhaha surrounding the approach.
Indian pace spearhead Ishant Sharma was handed a one-Test suspension for the aggressive send-offs he gave to Sri Lanka's batsmen during the recent away series. His on-field behaviour drew flak from former India players Bishan Singh Bedi and Sanjay Manjrekar.
Asked how much Ishant's absence will hurt India in the upcoming series against South Africa, a Kohli replied: "I am not answering that question. Not what happened earlier, nor what is going to happen next, neither on captaincy nor on the coach."
While he wasn't asked on who could possibly be India's next coach, Kohli, who has time and again spoken about Ravi Shastri being his preferred choice as the team's mentor, took it upon himself to declare that he would not answer any question related to the matter.
Asked if he has evolved as a player to take over as captain in all formats, he retorted: "That was a nice try, but, again, it is a question on my captaincy."
Then, on being asked whether he would play a game against Bangladesh to get into the limited-overs mould, he replied, "I think we have played enough cricket. I don't know what's going to happen in next four hours. It's still some time, I will see then."
On a lighter note, he did admit that it is the "Delhi instinct" that works at times.
"Yes, you can say that Delhi instinct kicks in when I am playing.
"But if you are talking about typical Delhi boy, I can talk about myself; I try to do the right things."
Kohli spoke about "hard work and self belief" being key ingredients of success.
He also took the opportunity to express his "commitment" for actress girlfriend Anushka Sharma.
"I am a committed man," he said, when asked how he reacts to adulation from his female fans.
- Also read:
- Ishant incident: Why didn't Kohli play mediator?
'If Ishant crossed the line it's because of Kohli's aggressiveness'