'Aggressive' India can beat Australia, says Virat Kohli

Mumbai, Nov 21: Set to embark for a gruelling Test tour of Australia starting December 4, star batsman Virat Kohli today said that India will play aggressive and positive cricket in their four-match series and his young side can beat the Aussies in their own backyard.

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"We are confident of our ability and character of players in the Test side. Everyone is keen to go out there and experience the condition in Australia and the challenge that it brings," Kohli said at the pre-departure press conference. ('Australia will rout India 4-0')

"It has to be caution with aggression. First priority is to be positive and aggressive and then we dictate terms when we can. The intent has to be positive and aggressive and have that mindset. We obviously will have plan Bs and Cs to fall back on," said the 26-year-old Kohli who will lead the side in the first Test in Brisbane.

Regular captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been rested for the first Test as he is recovering from a right thumb injury and he is expected to lead the side from second Test (in Adelaide from Dec 12-16) onwards. The third and fourth Tests will be played in Melbourne (December 26-30) and Sydney (January 3-7).

Kohli said it was imperative to pick the right combination in Tests and not tinker much with the playing XI. "We have to figure out the best combination for the Test series. Test series is all about sticking to a particular combination and giving them confidence and not let them feel there are guys sitting out to replace them. We can't go with a mindset that we will go there and see what happens," he said.

"You have to keep thinking about winning all the time. We have good chances of beating them at home which we have done in the past. There is no reason why we can't repeat that. All the people in the team are of aggressive nature," he added.

The Indian team leaves for Australia wee hours tomorrow. The Delhi batsman said it was a blessing in disguise that the side would be playing in Australia before the World Cup as they would be used to the conditions prior to the mega event.

"The first focus is on the Test series and we will think about the World Cup after the tri-nation series. It will be a blessing before the World Cup to be playing in Australia. We are not going to be surprised by the tracks over there, which is going to be good for us," he said.

PTI