Virat Kohli backs Rahul Dravid for advisory committee

New Delhi: Indian Test captain Virat Kohli today said it would have been “amazing” to have former captain Rahul Dravid in the BCCI‘s newly-constituted cricket advisory committee, which will be guiding the national team.

“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. Virat Kohli: MS Dhoni is the most successful Indian captain ever

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The BCCI advisory committee comprises retired batting greats Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.

Dravid’s absence from the panel raised a few eyebrows but 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. Virat Kohli planning to keep his emotions in check

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. Virat Kohli admits he cried after MS Dhoni’s Test retirement

“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.

Speaking about the BCCI’s decision to retain Ravi Shastri as Team Director for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, Kohli said, “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.” Virat Kohli explains reason for failure vs James Anderson during India’s tour of England 2014

On his immediate goals as Test captain, Kohli said he wants to create a friendly dressing room in which players feel free to give their inputs.

“First and foremost [goal] 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 and it would help everyone to contribute to the team’s cause,” he said. Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli to celebrate World Environment Day by planting saplings