New Delhi: India Test captain Virat Kohli on Thursday welcomed the appointment of Board of Control for Cricket in India’s new advisory committee, but said the inclusion of former skipper Rahul Dravid in the panel would have been “amazing” for the national side.“It would have been amazing if all four would have been on board. (But) he (Dravid) must have had some obligation or commitment,” Kohli said on the sidelines of a promotional event here.
Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman were appointed to the BCCI’s advisory committee on Tuesday. But Dravid’s notable absence from the panel has raised a few eyebrows. Later, the BCCI made it clear that it was looking to get the former captain’s services in some other capacity, which has not yet been announced.The advisory committee has been mandated to guide the board and the national team on various “progressive steps” needed for future challenges.
The BCCI said the three legends’ guidance will be sought in preparing the national team for gruelling overseas assignments besides strengthening the domestic structure.“If you have played cricket then you have grown up watching these legends. It’s a wonderful thing to have happened and they will help us in many ways,” Kohli said.
Kohli was also vocal on BCCI’s decision to retain Ravi Shastri as team director for the tour of Bangladesh. “As long as he wants to continue, it would be beneficial for the team. He is someone who played cricket on his own terms. He brings in that confidence and self belief. You can count on him.” On his immediate goals as Test captain, Kohli said: “First and foremost is to play the kind of cricket we want to. I want to build an environment to make the team feel free. No one should hesitate to express himself.”
