As the T20 World Cup approaches, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar says if Virat Kohli “comes up with something…”

Selectors chairman Ajit Agarkar said the fitness blueprint devised by Virat Kohli has had a ripple effect on the entire Indian cricket ecosystem. He called MS Dhoni a pure instinct in a game that long ago embraced the use of data and insights. Kohli may be 35 years old, but he is still second to none when it comes to performing the most difficult of fitness routines. “You look at a guy like Virat (Kohli), he is one of those guys who sets the benchmark. In 10-15 years of his career, he will only get fitter and you can see the results .If people like him set an example and come up with certain things that you need or certain fitness levels that you need, gradually progress is made throughout the ecosystem.

“It has gradually progressed (to the younger generation). One of the differences you have seen over the last 15-20 years or so is the fitness level of the players,” Agarkar said on SportifywithPRG.

Kohli has been in fine form in the ongoing IPL, breaking the multi-year record of scoring 8 centuries in the tournament while leading the run-sheets with 316 runs in 5 games so far.

Dhoni’s instincts have seen him win five coveted IPL titles and even though he has given up the captaincy of the Chennai Super Kings, his presence on the field has been enough to instill a lot of confidence in his team.

The former Indian cricketer believes that artificial intelligence cannot replace captaincy instincts like Dhoni’s, who have incredible captaincy instincts.

“The amount of data available is incredible. You can plan an entire innings and I think everyone does that now, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to work all the time. You need a captain there because it’s not you All you know. Things that have been planned will go your way.

“Maybe on a given day but not most of the time. That’s where you need human instinct. That’s why you call MS Dhoni a great captain because he has a feel for the game. He knows what’s going on and how On. The game is changing,” said the 46-year-old former India bowler.

Agarkar said the IPL has become a huge platform for discovering talent but the most important thing is strong temperament which will set them apart.

“You can see, (IPL) always throws players out suddenly. After months of selection, some players suddenly appear on the big stage. IPL is a pretty big stage because of the pressure involved, the big crowds.

“You might be bowling to the top batsman in the world or you might be facing one of the top bowlers in the world and at that point you stand up and that’s where you judge the temperament of a player, whether he can do that consistently A little,” Agarca said.

“It’s a difficult task at times because of the sheer volume (of players from the domestic structure) we have. But, ultimately, the more you look at players, tempers can sometimes separate them.”

Agarca believes that the side that is closely united will often be the victorious side.

“A tight-knit group usually helps. You don’t need to be best friends, but you want to enjoy each other’s successes. If that doesn’t happen, it can be a little difficult sometimes.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)