I believed I am the man, says Richards to Kohli
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted a video on their website in which skipper Kohli turned anchor for the 67-year-old.
Mumbai: Former West Indies legend Viv Richards said, " I believed I am the man," while answering to a question asked by Indian skipper Virat Kohli about his mindset while going to bat without a helmet.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted a video on their website in which skipper Kohli turned anchor for the 67-year-old.
Kohli asked, "Whenever I have seen videos of you walking out, you're in a hat, no helmets back then. Even when there were after a point you chose not to because it was something that made you feel like you have the belief and you are chewing gum. I know the pitches were not as prepared or as covered back then.
"What was it like? What went through your head walking out knowing that you don't have that sort of protection, there is no restriction on bouncers and then you go out and dominate like that. What did you feel from the time you left the changing room till you got to the pitch. What was the mindset?"
In reply, Richards said "I believed I am the man. It may sound arrogant but I always felt that I was involved in a game that I knew. I would back myself every time. But the helmet I tried, I am not going to lie and tell you. But, it felt a little uncomfortable.
So I felt my cap, my maroon cap which was given to me. I felt so proud with that. My mindset was that if I am good enough to be here, if I get hurt it's god's will".
Kohli while replying to his own question, said that he would prefer getting a blow early on in his innings so that he gets to know the feelings.
Kohli added, "I always feel like it's better to get hit early on and get to know the feeling rather than always feeling like you might get hit.
So, I prefer actually getting hit early on and really hard so it motivates me even further not allow that to happen again, just that pain to go through your body and be like - okay enough, it's not happening again."
The Men in Blue is currently in the Carribean country and have already thrashed the Windies in the T20I and ODI series.
India are now set to play the West Indies in a 2-match Test series that starts on August 22.