We do not differentiate between teams: Virat Kohli

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], Nov 15 (ANI): Ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka, Indian skipper Virat Kohli admitted that the team want to play best cricket regardless of the opposition and playing conditions.

India is hosting a reverse series comprising three Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and as many Twenty20 Internationals (T20s) against Sri Lanka. The first match of the series will begin from November 16.

Earlier, the Virat Kohli-led side had whitewashed the Lankans in all three formats of the game when the two clashed in July-September in the island nation.

Kohli made it clear that though they have triumphed Sri Lanka earlier but they are not talking the team any lightly.

He said, "Every series is important when we play for the country. We don't like to differentiate. We play regardless of the opposition. We want to maintain consistency as a team and that has worked for us because we are not differentiating in terms of where we are playing, what team we are playing against."

Prior to the Sri Lanka series, India have played back to back limited overs with Australia and later with New Zealand.

After Sri Lanka, India will tour South Africa to play three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is, with the first Test to begin in Cape Town on January 5.

Speaking at a press conference, the right-handed batsman said that the team have played so much cricket that now it is all quality practice and not quantity practice.

"Again we have to get back into the Test match and create momentum from this game and carry it on in the series and carry it forward as we are playing Test cricket straight after. It always feels nice to come back into Test cricket because the challenges are different," he said.

Kohli, 29, also commented on the format of resting of players and said it needs proper analysis which people do not understand.

"11 players play the game but not everyone would have batted for 45 overs in an ODI or not everyone bowled 30 overs in a Test. But the guys who are doing it regularly need to be assessed, because the body needs rest as well," he said, adding, "People only see that everyone has played equal number of game but they do not see how much time a player as spent on the crease."

The top ranked player in ODI and T20I format added that they have built such a strong core team of 20-25 players, that they do not want important players breaking down at important time.

The first Test between India and Sri Lanka will be played at Kolkata's Eden Gardens on Thursday. Both the teams will then move to Nagpur and Delhi for the second and third Test respectively.

It is to be noted that this series will be the islanders' first full series in India in seven years. The last time the two sides clashed with each other in the Test format was in 2009, where the islanders went down 2-0 against India. (ANI)