I want to see Indian team dominate for at least 5 years: Kohli
New Delhi: New Test captain Virat Kohli on Tuesday laid out his ambitious vision for the Indian team, saying he wants to create a side which can dominate world cricket for the next five years at least. Kohli, who was handed the Test captaincy after Mahendra Singh Dhoni retired following the third Test of the four-match series against Australia in January, said he wants to create strong friendship in the team. “I strongly want to see the Indian team dominate for at least five or six years,” Kohli told ESPNcricinfo’s digital magazine in an interview which will be published tomorrow on the Cricket Monthly site. “We certainly have the talent. We certainly have the ability. All that it will take is how you manage that and keep them together,” he added. Laying down his vision for the side, Kohli said: “I want to create strong bonds. I want to create strong friendships in this unit. “We live 250-280 days a year together so I want to create such an atmosphere where in the next ten years watching it from outside you would get to know this team is a united team. This team is a strongly knit unit. They want to play for each other. They don’t want to play for themselves. That is my vision.” A firm believer in playing aggressive cricket, Kohli said he wants to free his team of doubts or insecurities. “We like playing the same brand of cricket,” Kohli said of the team he resumes taking charge of with the tour to Bangladesh later this month (PTI)
AIFF enters into an agreement with French Football Federation
New Delhi: Barely a month after All India Football Federation entered into a partnership with the German Football Association (DFB), President of AIFF, Praful Patel has signed an agreement with French Football Federation (FFF) in Munich. AIFF had earlier signed a MoU with the Japan Football Association in February 2015. “It’s an honour to enter into an agreement with the French Football Federation,” Patel said. “We look forward to learn from their technical expertise for further development of the Sport,” he added. General Secretary of AIFF, Kushal Das was also present on the occasion. As per the agreement, the two parties have decided to cooperate with each other in order to develop strong ties between their respective associations for the mutual benefit of each association and for the promotion, growth and continued success of football in each country. It also highlighted the collaboration and cooperation through management and officials, technical experts, coaches, referees, etc. Exchanges regarding training of technical personnel and organisational procedures. Availability of sports centres or installations for competition, training and camps as and where possible in accordance with availability and suitability, have also been agreed upon. Besides, support for the preparation of the Indian team for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2017 to be hosted by India, in terms of exposure trips for matches with French teams and participation in youth tournaments in France have also been talked about. (PTI)
No DRS during India series: BCB
Dhaka: Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan has said that the Decision Review System (DRS) will not be used in the upcoming home series against starting June 10. Even though the umpire referral system was in place during the series against Pakistan, but because of BCCI’s anti-DRS stand the BCB has decided not to use the system in the one-off Test and the three ODIs. “Following discussions between the two boards, we have decided not to take the DRS for the upcoming home series against India. As far as I know, no team goes for the DRS while playing against India,” Nazmul told the media during the Tigers’ jersey-unveiling ceremony at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday. The one-off Test will be followed by the three ODIs on June 18, 21 and 24. (PTI)
