Virat Kohli: It hurts when former cricketers focus on negativity

Under Kohli`s captaincy, India have now won two Test series in a row.

New Delhi: Days after he led the Indian cricket team to yet another series win in Tests, Indian skipper Virat Kohli slammed former cricketers who focus on floating negative comments about the team's performance.

Several cricketers criticised the Nagpur pitch where India beat South Africa inside three days.

Speaking to ‘BCCI.TV’, Kohli said, “It obviously hurts when people who have played the game themselves make such comments. I am not saying all of them do it. Some of them understand the mindset of the players, having gone through similar situations in their careers. They lend you support, say the right thing and even help you with certain technicalities. But some people like to focus on the negatives. It feels bad as an Indian cricketer.”

Kohli, under whose captaincy India won a Test series on Lankan soil after 22 years earlier this year, said that the current team had a crop of young players who are determined to make things happen.

“At this juncture, the team is really bonding well together, staying really tight, ignoring the negativity that floats around and focusing on the skills and taking control. This team reflects the mindset of the current generation of Indian cricketers. We want to go out there, be aggressive, make things happen rather than wait for them to happen," the Delhi batsman added.

In the recently concluded 4-match Test series, India ended South Africa's nine-year unbeaten run away from home and sealed the series 3-0.

It was a series where Indian spinners dismantled the World No. 1 Test side. While premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin ended with 31 wickets in four matches, Ravindra Jadeja contributed with 23 scalps in as many games.