Virat Kohli's India More Aggressive Than Cricket Team of Eighties: Kapil Dev

Virat Kohli is the right man to take Indian cricket forward, feels Kapil Dev. The World Cup-winning Kapil Dev feels Kohli's aggression is the right attitude for the national team to prosper in modern cricket.

"Virat Kohli is a new captain with the thought process that we have to be very aggressive. Aggression wasn't a part of Indian team back in the 80's. Need of the hour is you have to be aggressive and hard and Kohli is one." Kapil Dev told NDTV in an exclusive interview.

India start a 13-match home Test series this week. The first set of three Tests start against New Zealand in Kanpur's Green Park from September 22.

Last time India hosted a team, they rolled out turning tracks and flexed their spin muscles to crush South Africa 3-0 in the four-Test series last year. Kane Williamson and his men can look forward to a similar treatment.

"Tough for New Zealand to come to India and win here, but international cricketers know foreign conditions better these days because they play around the world. That will be an advantage for the Kiwis," Kapil said.



"Virat Kohli is in a very enviable position where he has got a very balanced side, batting department, fast bowling department and spin department, so it is going to be a really challenging task for New Zealand," former batsman VVS Laxman told NDTV.

India have retained the squad that won the recent four-Test series in the West Indies 2-0. The selectors have kept their faith in batsmen like Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, who ran hot and cold in recent times. The Tests in India will give them a lifeline.

India will be aiming to regain the world No. 1 status during this long series at home.

"India can do consistently well in Test cricket. India have a very well balanced team. They have got batsmen, who can bat at top six, some all-rounders and great spin and pace options too," former Australian pacer Brett Lee told NDTV.

Australia are also scheduled to come to India next year in what is expected to be the unofficial world championship of Test cricket.

(With inputs from Akaash Dasgupta)