India vs New Zealand: Virat Kohli says rankings don`t motivate him as they shift focus from the process

A win against New Zealand at Eden Gardens would propel the Indian team to the pinnacle of Test rankings. India lead the three-match series 1-0 following a 197-run win in the first Test at Kanpur.

Rankings don't motivate him as they shift focus from the process: Virat Kohli on becoming No. 1 Test team

Kolkata: India may be one win away from regaining the No. 1 ICC Test Championships slot, but skipper Virat Kohli says he doesn`t care about rankings, as records don`t motivate him.

"Records don`t motivate me. If you look at the Test team two years back and now, the way we are playing, it`s easy to get carried away. You forget to focus on the process if you are thinking about rankings all the time," Kohli told reporters on Thursday at the customary media meet on the eve of the second Test against New Zealand at the Eden Gardens. (WATCH: WOAH! How Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli greeted each other during first training session)

A win would propel the Indian team to the pinnacle of Test rankings. India lead the three-match series 1-0 following a 197-run win in the first Test at Kanpur.

"When you start batting, you don`t think of records. That shifts your focus from the process. I think me and the team are working on the standard of our cricket.

"We don`t care about rankings, it is temporary. If we are attached to that it can upset you. Things change in rankings. These things change as other teams improve. If we keep thinking about that all the time, it doesn`t help," said the dashing right-hander. 

India are currently leading the three-match Test series 1-0. (India vs NZ 2016: Anil Kumble disagrees with Virat Kohli's perspective, says strike rate is for bowlers in Tests)