Captain Kohli learns how to control sessions not going team's way

Still on a learning curve as India’s Test skipper, Virat Kohli on Friday said controlling sessions which don’t exactly go the team’s way is among the most crucial captaincy lessons that he has learnt so far in his tenure.

“One thing that stands out in the learning process is how to control a session which is not going your way. How to stop the runs and keep the pressure (on the opposition) when you are not taking wickets? That’s very important and something which I have experienced as captain,” Kohli said on the eve of the third and final Test against New Zealand here.

“It’s a very important time in a Test match, not to go too negative while (at the same time) controlling the runs (of the opposition). It’s a thin line, and it’s important not to go one-dimensional when things are not going your way.”

India have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series but Kohli confirmed that the team was not going to experiment with a make shift opener and instead give Gautam Gambhir a chance to resurrect his career after two years.

“That’s a natural change because of injury to Shikhar (Dhawan), natural because he is the third opener in the team,” said Kohli on the chances of Gambhir opening the innings with Murali Vijay after being in the reserves in the second Test at Kolkata.

Dhawan, also a left-handed opener from Delhi, got hit on his finger in the second innings of the second Test while batting and was subsequently ruled out of the final Test here.

Kohli said that all those who have come in to fill in for the injured players have done well.

“What happened to Shikhar was not a fitness issue, but a blow on the thumb. We have had injuries, but the good thing is we were able to recognise them early and given them rest. It’s a long season ahead and the good thing others have stepped in and taking it as an opportunity (to do well).

“It’s very important to manage the work load, especially for the fast bowlers. For ODI matches, they have been given rest. It is a long Test season ahead and it gives opportunity to others to prove themselves,” said Kohli.