The acrimonious World Cup encounter is history and will have no bearing on the upcoming series, India test captain Virat Kohli said on the eve of the departure of the Indian team to Bangladesh. "We had issues in the past but we have moved ahead. The World Cup is over and we have played a lot of cricket since then. So I don't think there will be any lingering memory of those incidents," said Kohli during a pre-departure press conference in Kolkata.
"We are going there to play and win a Test match and that's our primary focus. There won't be any grudges or ill feelings about the opposition. It's pure and simple professionalism," Kohli asserted.
Team Director Ravi Shastri backed his captain, saying, "We respect every opponent, including Bangladesh and we are confident of putting up a good show against them." Asked what would be his team's approach in Bangladesh, Kohli said the focus would be on winning matches. "We learn everyday but it is not enough. I don't think we need to play with a mindset of playing to learn. We have played long enough now, we know what we want to achieve as a unit. We will play to win every game," said Kohli.
Kohli, who led India to victory in the 2008 U-19 World Cup, has grown in his leadership role in the senior ranks over the years. He also captained India in two Tests on India's recent tour of Australia, but is looking forward to the challenge of leading in the game's longest format.
"I have captained teams before. At a certain level, you learn while doing the job. Tests are a difficult ball game compared to ODIs or T20s because you have to strategise for a whole day in one go I have learned a lot while captaining in Australia. The team has good skills and it's all about improving on your mistakes and being more consistent," he added.
Hailed as an aggressive captain, Kohli said he wants create an environment in the dressing room where players feel confident to give their best. "We do have goals that we want to achieve as a team. To do that there has to be an environment where guys want to improve every day," he said.
Asked about his personal goals, Kohli said: "I don't have personal goals and I feel personal performances should not be the goals. A particular batsman might get a hundred in a losing cause which is not a good feeling," he added.
Focus on fitness as players sweat it out
Kohli stated in a recent interview that he wants his team to dominate world cricket over the next few years. And the key to achieving that goal is to improve the fitness levels of players. Team India's two-hour practice session at the Eden Gardens on Sunday was a step in that direction. The skipper also harped on the fitness aspect in his pre-departure press conference.
"We conducted a fitness test because we feel that fitness is one area where we need to strengthen," he said. "Fitness is the primary focus of any game. If we strengthen that over a period of six to eight months from now that will help us in the coming three-four years," he added.
