NEWS
Follow UsIndia's ODI captain KL Rahul said that the team's aim is to build on the pattern set by Virat Kohli in the white-ball format as he heaped praise on the former captain who on Saturday stepped down as India's Test captain.
"Whatever winning belief is present in the team now, it is largely because of Virat. He made us all believe that we go out of India and beat anyone," Rahul said the pre-match conference on Tuesday ahead of the first ODI in Paarl.
Under Kohli, India became the world no.1 side in Tests and reached the World Test Championship final along with winning overseas in Australia and England.
Rahul felt that his duty as the captain will be to follow the example set by Kohli, who was axed as the ODI captain ahead of the tour and replaced by Rohit Sharma.
"I am not someone who has too many targets or big plans," Rahul said. "I'd like to take it one game at a time and that's how I want to lead the side as well. Under Virat, we have done some phenomenal things in white-ball cricket. The pattern is already set and we have build on it now," he added.
"He always pushed us and motivated us to do special things. So those are the things I have learned from him. Hopefully, I can do that the with the team as well."
When asked if he would be interested to take over Test captaincy following Kohli's resignation, Rahul was measured in his response.
"To lead the country is a dream come true for any player and something special that he will cherish for a long time. I am no different," Rahul said.
"It will be exciting but I am not really looking for anything at this time but if it happens to come, I will try my best to carry Team India and Indian cricket forward to the best of my abilities," he added.
Rahul captained India during the second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg which India lost. The 29-year old felt that the learnings from former captains MS Dhoni and Kohli will be useful in the upcoming series against South Africa.
"I'm not someone who gets worried or gets too happy because of the results. We had the chance to win in Centurion, but unfortunately it was not possible. There were learnings from it. I have played under great captains like MS and Virat. I am also human, ill make mistakes along way as a captain. This one-day series is a great opportunity for me to captain my country, so I am looking forward to it," Rahul said.