Sunday 23 November 2014 11:05, UK
Virat Kohli is ready for the Gabba’s ‘rowdy crowd’ as he prepares to make his debut as India’s Test captain against Australia.
Aussie seamer Peter Siddle warned Kohli that he might find his new responsibilities a ‘bit daunting’ when he leads India out for the first Test at Brisbane on December 4.
Kohli, though, says he doesn’t mind the pre-match ‘banter’ and is confident he will make a good captain, a role he is undertaking with regular skipper MS Dhoni out with a wrist injury.
"Well that's for me to know and for me to experience," Kohli said when asked about the atmosphere he thinks he will experience at the Gabba.
"I've played against him, he's quite a competitive guy so I'm not surprised there's already some banter starting from that end and I don't mind all that.
"I love leading the side. I love being captain. I don't see any issues on why I can't be up to the challenge."
Kohli has filled in for Dhoni in the limited-overs format, but is yet to do so in a Test.
"I'm pretty confident of the ability the guys have,” he said. “It's up to me how I handle them, how I handle different situations.
"As long as the team backs me and puts in the performances we want, I think I'm going to look good at the end of the day."
Dhoni's injury worries prompted India's selectors to include two other wicket-keepers, Wriddhiman Saha and Naman Ojha, in the unusually large touring squad that comprises eight specialist batsmen and five seamers.
The tour ends with the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in February and March.
Watch India's tour of Australia on Sky Sports 2HD, starting on Thursday December 4
