Virat Kohli: We can beat anyone

India skipper Virat Kohli (centre) celebrates the wicket of England’s Dom Sibley at Lord’s last week. Pic/Getty Images

No Ben Stokes, no Jofra Archer, no Stuart Broad. And with Mark Wood ruled out too for today's third Test at Headingley, Leeds, India would be licking their fingers to exploit this golden opportunity to triumph in England.

But Virat Kohli's Indian team are an exception. When asked whether the team are looking to go for the kill with many England players out either with injuries or personal reasons, captain Kohli shot back: "Does that depend on the strength of the opposition?" The confidence that Kohli has in himself and his troops was evident when he explained the thought process of his team. "Even when key players are playing, we think we can beat anyone. We don't wait for the opposition to be weak.

"I don't think that's the right question to ask to a team that have been playing such good cricket for the last so many years, that we depend on the team to be weak to have an opportunity to win a series. That's not how we play and approach a series," he said. Kohli looked unfazed going into the Headingley Test without playing a tour game. The Lord's Test witnessed some high voltage banter and war of words. According to James Anderson, England skipper Joe Root's policy is to reply with skills. However, Kohli and his team won't "take a backward step when provoked."

While Kohli didn't divulge what provoked him during the Lord's Test, the Indian skipper said the banter helps the team to bond better on the field. "What's said on the field and done at the moment gives extra motivation to the team to get together and come even more strongly. There's absolute clarity in what you want to do. The details are not necessary to be discussed after, because it happens in the moment. It happens in competitive sport. It's what you do after that matters. This is a new Test, another chance for us to take pride in playing competitive cricket," said Kohli, who hinted that there will be no change to their playing XI.

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