Natarajan 'an asset' heading into World Cup - Kohli

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has heaped praise on left-arm pacer T Natarajan following the third and final T20I against Australia in Sydney. Natarajan, selected in the national side for the first time, picked up six wickets in the three T20Is at an economy of just under 7 and was instrumental in India clinching the series 2-1. Kohli commended the 29-year-old's work ethic and revealed that he could be a handy asset heading into the T20 World Cup at home next year.

"In the absence of Shami and Bumrah, he's been the guy who has stood up and really delivered under pressure, which is outstanding for the fact that he's playing his first few games at the international level and he looks very composed," Kohli said after India's 12-run loss in the dead rubber. "He's very sure of what he wants to do, he's a very hardworking guy, very humble guy. And you feel happy for guys who are committed and working hard for the team, when they get the results and make the team win.

"I wish him all the best and I hope he continues to work hard on his game and keeps getting better. Because a left-arm bowler is always an asset for any team and if he can bowl that well and consistently, I think he'll be a great thing for us heading into the World Cup next year."

On his own performances, Kohli revealed that he was happy with his outing (61-ball 85) on Tuesday (December 8) and is hopeful of carrying forward the momentum into the opening Test. "I think I'm in the right headspace," Kohli said. "It was a bit scratchy in the first ODI to begin with but then I addressed a few things and worked on a few aspects of my game that I wanted to purely to get into the best headspace that I possibly can because I've never been a fan of thinking too much technique.

"I think when I get into a good head space is when I feel like I can play and switch between all formats and adjust according to conditions as well. It's just about continuing to be in that headspace and making sure that I contribute enough towards the team's success and hopefully start off on the right note in the Test series."

Kohli also addressed the confusion surrounding India's attempt at challenging the on-field umpire's call against Matthew Wade during Australia's innings. Even though India used the review within the 15-second time frame, the appeal didn't go through since the replay of the delivery had already been shown on the big screen before Kohli could take the call. "That LBW was a strange one because we were still discussing if the ball went down or what," he recalled. "And within the 15 second time-frame they showed the replay on the screen. We decided to go for the review.

"I had a chat with Rod that what do we do in this situation and he said nothing can be done because it was a mistake from the TV. But we felt like as management we needed to put the message across that these mistakes cannot be done at the highest level and in a very important game this could be very costly. So it was a little bit of a miss from the TV guys upstairs and I'm sure going forward you don't want to be in a situation where you lose out on a very important moment in the game."

The 32-year-old also brushed aside suggestions of keeping Hardik Pandya in the squad for the Test series. Hardik, who was named player of the series, has not been picked in the Test squad since he is still not fully fit to bowl. Kohli stressed on the importance of Hardik's abilities as an allrounder in Tests and is hopeful of having him bowl at full tilt across formats in the future.

"Test cricket is a different challenge altogether," Kohli pointed out. "We need him to bowl, we've spoken to him about it. That's when he becomes the one guy who brings a lot of balance for us if you've seen our cricket overseas as well. In South Africa and England as well, we were able to compete for longer periods in Test matches because he brought a lot of balance in terms of balance.

"He's definitely in that zone where he wants to be stronger and iron out all his niggles. He wants to be available for India in all three disciplines and that's always been his x-factor. In white-ball cricket, the way he's striking the ball, we've found someone who can finish games consistently. He himself wants to get back into the bowling space and then he becomes available as a pure allrounder in Tests which becomes way more important because over five days you need that little bit extra from a guy who can bat and ball. He understands that he'll work really hard to come back the fittest that he's ever been."

On the lessons learnt from the white-ball leg of the tour, Kohli expressed satisfaction over the team's never-say-die attitude and mentioned that the team management will back individuals, hoping they thrive in that environment. "One thing I've learnt over the last six games is that we're a team that'll show belief and try and find ways to win the game and not necessarily give up at any stage," Kohli said. "That'll be the hallmark of our team heading into the World Cup next year. The communication from me and the management has been pretty simple. We're going to back individuals throughout and all we expect them is to go out on the field and make sure they're looking for situations and play according to it and keep continuing to commit to the team's goal.

"We've taken focus away from individual performances and put more focus on partnerships and making sure we bowl well in partnerships, bat well in partnerships and make impact. So from a team's point of view, it is really encouraging sign for us and we have to remember to take it forward to whatever games we play. That is the only way you survive at the international level. Beyond your own performance and thinking too much about technique and these kinds of things, I think that belief and that passion pulls you through more often than being calculative from up here."

Kohli was also pleased having the crowds back in the stadiums in the backdrop of the constantly evolving Covid-19 pandemic. With the entire IPL and most of the bilateral tournaments around the world being played behind closed doors, Kohli noted that it was a welcome change to see the fans boosting the players in difficult situations. "This has been a pleasant change if I have to be honest," he admitted. "You sometimes find yourself in difficult situations and then the energy and the passion of the fans pull you through as well which has been a wonderful addition to this short format series. That's something as cricketers we've always enjoyed experiencing over these years.

"This just gives you an extra added boost and makes you go beyond your limitations so to say. I've certainly experienced that in the last six games that it pushes you beyond your own hesitations and expectations and then you get into that competitive headspace where you're only worried about one thing that is to make the team win and make sure you contribute towards that cause."