SYDNEY, Jan 2 (IANS): Terming Virat Kohli �new king of world cricket�, former Australian batsman Dean Jones said the newly-appointed Test captain represents a new, young and vibrant India.
After Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from the longest version of the game, the 26-year-old Kohli was named captain of the team for the fourth and final Test Jan 6-10 here.
�Being captain of the Indian Test team is possibly the biggest, toughest and most demanding position in world sport. India are the power brokers and financiers of world cricket, and I could not even imagine the pressures and responsibilities placed on people in this most prestigious role. Now we have a new king of world cricket, Virat Kohli,� Jones wrote in a column in Sydney Morning Herald on Friday.
�In the early 1990s, India had many restrictions on private companies lifted and new areas were opened to private capitalisation. India has a successful space program, a leading role in computer software and is pushing the boundaries of medicine. Big brands have pounced, bringing new marketing concepts and new attitudes to the youth of India,� the 53-year-old said.
�Without this background of change, I have no doubt that a conservative BCCI would have chosen a Murali Vijay or a Ajinkya Rahane as their new captain. But Kohli is the very example of the new-age youth of India. The Indian youth are more educated and have a touch of brashness - they want, and expect, the best. Indian youth want to be seen and heard.� The Australian, who played 52 Tests between 1984-92, admitted Kohli had �big shoes to fill� after Dhoni�s departure.
