Steve Waugh told son to have Virat as role model

“I like aggression in players, if it can be controlled.Sometimes, Virat crosses the line a little bit but I like his passion. I think he is probably the best batsman in the world. Technically, he is fantastic. I have a 16year-old son and I have told him `if you need someone as your role model, I think he should be Virat Kohli’. He should aspire to play like him,” said former Aussie captain Steve Waugh in an interview with a leading daily from India. Talking of sledging in cricket, “I did not start sledging. It has always been part of the game of cricket. We played the game hard and fair. We played on the opposition minds. In my time, I was very careful that we did not cross the line. Yes, we tried to get inside the heads of the opposition players. There is more investigation on every issue than it has been in the past. They become controversies and get highlighted.“

If media reports from India are to be believed, India’s Test Captain Virat Kohli could be taking over the limited overs reigns from the most successful Indian captain doing the rounds.

A report claimed that Indian selectors have indeed considered appointing Kohli captain for all formats, and have been waiting for the right moment to effect the change of leadership. “Even in the previous selection meeting there were talks about Kohli being named captain for all formats. But it is also worth keeping in mind that Dhoni is the most successful India captain ever and Kohli is just finding his feet as far as captaincy goes,” a daily quoted its source as saying.

“With India set to play mainly at home next year, it will only be an advantage for Kohli to take over the reins now rather than in an away series.Dhoni might continue to lead in T20s though,” the source added. Another reason, according to the report, selectors weighed in is the obvious difference in personalities and captaincy styles between Kohli and Dhoni. They are concerned that such differences might affect the team in the long run.

Dhoni, who retired from Test cricket last year, has not played since the three-match One-Day International series in Dhaka in June. In contrast, Kolhi’s profile has been rising ever since the tour Down Under and has led India to a rare away series win Sri Lanka in his first assignment as the full-time Test captain.

After winning a series in Lanka after 22 years, India play host to South Africa in a three T20 internationals, five ODIs and four Tests which begins from October 2.

Reports also suggest that Indian selectors are expected to meet on September 15 in the national capital to select the squad for upcoming series against the visiting Proteas. And it remains to be seen if the selectors will announce all three squads together or one by one, as it demands.

The report further speculated that during this meeting, Kohli is likely to be given the ODI captaincy as well, thus leaving Dhoni with just the T20 side. In such a scenario, Dhoni will be able to lead India in the 2016 World Twenty20 at home in 2016.