BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar Discusses Virat Kohli’s Role Ahead of T20 World Cup

The former India cricketer felt that artificial intelligence cannot be a substitute for someone like Dhoni, whose captaincy instincts are incredible. According to him, the amount of available data is incredible, and while planning for a whole innings is now common, it doesn’t always work out. He emphasized the need for human instinct and highlighted Dhoni’s feel for the game and his adaptability as key factors that made him a great captain.

Agarkar also mentioned that the IPL had become a crucial platform for spotting talent, but what ultimately mattered was a strong temperament that set players apart. He noted the pressures involved in the IPL and emphasized that it was the ideal stage for judging a player’s consistency and temperament when facing the best in the world. Additionally, Agarkar emphasized the importance of a tight-knit team, stating that cohesive sides are often winning sides.

He underlined the significance of enjoying each other’s success, pointing out that strong camaraderie within the team plays a vital role in achieving success. In another context, Agarkar acknowledged Kohli’s exceptional fitness and performance, highlighting how the cricketer continued to set the benchmark for fitness levels even after 10-15 years into his career. He also praised Dhoni’s leadership and instinct, noting that Dhoni’s presence on the field infused confidence in his team.

Despite relinquishing the position of skipper at Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni’s instincts were still considered invaluable on the field. Agarkar also touched upon the impact of IPL in honing players’ talents, emphasizing that the tournament helps in bringing out players who can perform consistently on the big stage. He acknowledged that with the sheer number of players coming through the domestic structure, identifying talent could be challenging, but stressed that strong temperament often made the difference.