India’s tour of Australia begins with the 3-match T20 series on Wednesday. The first game will be played at the Gabba, Brisbane. Ahead of the face-off, Indian captain Virat Kohli addressed the media personnel and assured that the side won’t be repeating the ‘radical mistakes’ which they committed in England.
India have been battling the tag of poor travellers and the 1-4 Test series defeat to England only added to that reputation. The Tests against Australia will get underway on December 6 in Adelaide.
Reflecting on the performance in England, Kohli said, “Our mistakes in England were very radical. The quality of cricket was very high but our mistakes were as radical and that's why we lost the games.”
“So at times we have the ability to compete with the other team at par and in Test cricket whichever team makes lesser mistakes wins the game, that's the general rule,” he added.
The Indian skipper spoke about the aggression on the field and stated that his team has never been the one to start "anything" but will stand up for itself if the line is crossed by the opposition, while defining aggression ahead of the much-anticipated Australia tour's opening game.
“Aggression depends on how the situation is on the field. If the opposition is aggressive towards you then you counter it. India is not a team that starts anything but we always draw a line of self-respect. If that line is crossed we stand up to that," Kohli said.
“For me, aggression is playing to win and an obsession that I should win every ball for my team. Everyone has a different meaning but for me, it means to win the game at any costs and give 120 per cent for my team, whether I am fielding or even clapping for someone while sitting on the bench, or batting, or running between wickets,” he added.
Ahead of a long summer of cricket, India will start as favourites against a weakened Australian side that is missing Steve Smith and David Warner desperately. Kohli said that he expected Australia to challenge on their homesoil nevertheless.
“Missing out on two of their best batsmen is not an ideal thing for any team. There is no denying the quality they have in their sides and still have world-class cricketers. This Australian team still has the quality to make an impact despite missing their two best batsmen. We will have to be at our best to beat Australia in Australia,” he said.
When asked about the kind of atmosphere he is expecting, the skipper said his team will not take anything for granted "regardless of any situation".
“You can never underestimate any side, and we have come here to compete against the whole Australian team. We haven't played Australia after everything that has happened so I cannot really say what the atmosphere is going to be on the ground like,” said Kohli.
India have won their last seven T20I series, while Australia are yet to beat an opponent of note in this format since the ball-tampering scandal.