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Calcutta: Virat Kohli, widely expected to be Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s successor as the India captain, isn’t getting impatient to get into the hottest seat after the Prime Minister’s.
“Far from it... There’s no question of becoming impatient... MS has done a great job and we respect him as a captain,” Virat told The Telegraph in New Delhi on Monday evening.
Virat, an U-19 World Cup-winning captain, added: “To think of the captaincy would be a distraction... At this stage of my career, when I have more responsibility, I can’t afford to be distracted by anything. Nothing at all.”
Officially, Virat has been the vice-captain twice, during the Asia Cup in Bangladesh and the tour of Sri Lanka, last year.
The 24-year-old Virat had a disappointing ODI series against Pakistan, but had an outstanding 2012, totalling 2,186 runs across the three formats.
No compatriot scored more than Virat. In fact, there was a time when he was No.1 amongst all batsmen. Eventually, Australia’s Test and ODI captain Michael Clarke topped across all formats (2,251 runs).
Virat, incidentally, rushed home after the Kotla ODI on Sunday. It was mother Saroj’s birthday, after all.
“Mom wanted an India win over Pakistan as her birthday present... She wasn’t disappointed... Of course, I’ll be getting her a gift after the ODIs versus England... Something appropriate for the most important person in my life,” Virat said rather emotionally.
Virat lost his father, Prem, in December 2006.
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