Legendary Australian captain Steve Waugh said on sidelines of the Laureus World Sports Awards on Wednesday that India’s batting stalwart and newly-appointed Test captain Virat Kohli should take a leaf out of MS Dhoni’s book on how to keep his emotions in check.
Waugh feels Kohli still has to mature as a captain, and that he he gets a bit too animated, emotional and personal on a few issues. Kohli took over as the captain of the Indian Test side following Dhoni’s retirement from cricket’s longest format after the third Test against Australia in December. The Kohli-led India were just able to draw the fourth and final match but lost the series 0-2.
“Kohli has to mature. He had a few issues this World Cup. He gets a bit too animated, bit too emotional, bit too personal on some issues. As a captain you have got to develop a thick skin and Dhoni has that, nothing gets through him. So he would be a good role model for Kohli. He has to be his own man but also take a bit of what Dhoni has. Dhoni has never been bothered about what people say. The external things don’t influence him. He just keeps it simple, goes about his job with the best that he can do on the field. I like Kohli’s passion. You can’t be there starting every fight when he is a captain. He has to pull it back. He doesn’t have to lose that passion, but just has to be a little more smart in the way he does things,” Waugh said.
Waugh also spoke about Australia’s Steven Smith, who has had to take over the reigns of the Test team whenever Michale Clarke’s injury has made him unavailable, saying Smith and Kohli are poles apart, but are both exceptional talents.
“They are different personalities, poles apart, one who has his emotions in check, while the other shows his emotions all the time. Both are great players, Kohli probably has the best technique and may be Smith has best temperament. Both are exceptional talents and they are going to score lot of runs and be leaders for a long time. But there are many things to work on for sure,” said Waugh.
Asked if he would like to take up the job of India coach if offered, Waugh said: “I haven’t thought about it. I am not the right candidate right now. I have a good understanding of the game but I don’t have coaching experience. It is a difficult job coaching India. You have to know the culture, there is a lot of expectation from the team. I also have three teenagers at home now, besides some business commitments. It is a great job and it would be an honour, may be five years down the line I might take it up but not now,” he added.
Waugh said he sees himself more in a mentor’s role now. “I like mentoring and I would definitely want to do mentoring role. You have to take it step by step. Just because you have been an influential player doesn’t mean that you can get into coaching. I will consider it if I get an offer from IPL players,” he said.
Regarding ICC’s decision to cut down the number of teams to 10 from 14 next edition, Waugh said: “I like 12 teams. I was impressed with teams like Afghanistan and Ireland. I think the only way they are going to get better is by experience. So I think ICC needs to have shorter games. I thought six weeks was too long. I am disappointed that there will be just two associate teams next year.”
