NEW DELHI: Putting his weight behind team director Ravi Shastri, India's Test captain Virat Kohli was emphatic in his assertion that the former captain has been "beneficial" for the team and needed to stay on as long as he could, according to Times of India. "Ravi Shastri should stay on as the team director as long as he wishes to continue," Kohli said at a promotional event on Thursday, leaving no doubt about his preference for the post. "It will only be beneficial for the team. He came in at a difficult time. He has the character, composure and belief. He instilled that in our team as well."
The Indian cricket board (BCCI) recently roped in three heavyweights of Indian cricket - Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman - to contribute to the game's betterment in an advisory capacity. The move has triggered speculation about a possible future role for another stalwart, Rahul Dravid. The 26-year-old Test skipper said his immediate priority would be to create a secure environment within the team. "The immediate goal is to play the brand of cricket we want to play. And then the players should feel secure and confident. There shouldn't be any hesitation in the minds of the players. They should be expressing what they think," an assertive Kohli said. Talking about fitness levels, the skipper acknowledged the need to factor in personal limitations. "I lost 10 kgs because it was my desire to be fit. However, everyone in the team will have a limitation. It is about understanding the desired level of fitness for each individual. Anyway, the fitness levels are different for fast bowlers, spinners, all-rounders and wicketkeepers."