Virat Kohli is wired to be emotionally charged: Gautam Gambhir wants India captain 'riled up' in 2nd Test

India vs New Zealand: Former India opener Gautam Gambhir thinks that Virat Kohli needs to cut down on the feel-good emotions he has been going on the current tour and rekindle his inner rage to get back in form.

with India captain Virat Kohli low on runs and fighting to help India level the 2-Test series vs New Zealand in Christchurch, his Delhi senior and former India opener Gautam Gambhir has a piece of advice for him. According to Gambhir, Kohli should channel his inner beast on the field and needs to be more emotionally charged while leading his team in the 2nd Test starting Saturday.

In his column for The Times of India, Gambhir recalled an incident from his own playing days when lack of aggression on his part reflected on his batting form. Gambhir went on to channel his 'anger' to in order to prove his performance on the field.

"Sport is a rare profession which can evoke all human emotions, the more apparent ones being happiness and sadness. While these two are the primary ones which form a plot, the rest help build the drama. I am no expert on human emotions but as a sportsperson I have touched all six distinct sentiments at some stage or the other. My closest 'friends' have been fear and anger. I'd like to talk about anger here and how it elevates a performer," Gambhir wrote in his column for The Times of India.

"Let me share a personal anecdote. It was January 2008 and I was leading Delhi in a Ranji Trophy final. It was being played in Mumbai. Our opposition was Uttar Pradesh. I was out for zero in the first innings. I had to cop a lot of criticism about my technique and temperament. I came into this game reasonably focused, as winning the Ranji Trophy was one of my childhood dreams.

"But I was not as charged up, besides I had a good number of friends in the UP team which left my intensity sub-par. This criticism, led by one of the national selectors, left me extremely angry. It now seems I needed that anger as till then I was not really 'in' that contest. I got a second-innings hundred as Delhi won the Ranji final. I really enjoyed the hundred, including some mocking gestures towards the national selector. So from being disappointed for being criticized to being angry and then being elated after winning Ranji Trophy, the game led me to almost every possible emotion," recalled Gambhir.

Gambhir thinks Kohli is also facing the same kind of situation he faced 12 years ago.

"From a distance, it seems Virat Kohli is in a similar situation. He was asked before the start of this tour if saw it as a revenge series after losing to them in the 2019 World Cup semifinal. At the time Kohli replied, "Even if you want to think of revenge these guys are so nice that you can't get into that zone." I am not sure if this part of Virat Kohli really works for him. He is at his best when he is riled up when he has a contest. Revenge may be an exaggerated thought but I am not sure of "nice guys" emotion either. I think Kohli is wired up to be that emotionally charged sportsperson who can play a cover drive with the calmness of a sage and then lead his troops like an animated cheerleader," wrote Gambhir.

Gambhir also thinks that as far as team combination is concerned, Kohli should replace Hanuma Vihari for spinning all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for the 2nd Test while asking for more patience when it comes to the batting form of young opener Prithvi Shaw.

"Game wise, I think Kohli should play five bowlers. He should play Ravindra Jadeja in place of Hanuma Vihari whether the wicket is flat or a green top. A lot is being said about Prithvi Shaw and his batting style. We just need to increase our patience with the boy's talent. He can serve India for long. The team will do well to shut the windows to keep doubts and naysayers out," Gambhir concluded.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sport is a rare profession which can evoke all human emotions: Gautam Gambhir wrote in a newspaper column
• Revenge may be an exaggerated thought but I am not sure of "nice guys" emotion either: Gambhir
• Gambhir wants Virat Kohli to play Ravindra Jadeja in the place of Hanuma Vihari in the 2nd Test

• More info: 

  HIGHLIGHTS