London: Virat Kohli has injected a fighting attitude into the India side, said former England captain Nasser Hussain. Hussain said the current Indian team has turned into one that does not get bullied by adversities, on or off the field.
Hussain also warned the England side to anticipate a tough time while meeting India in the four-test series against India starting on February 5 in Chennai.
Nasser's compliment to Indian skipper Kohli was based on the grit and determination he inspired and the confidence he left behind even while he was away on paternity leave, and the team hit back against odds in the final test at Brisbane's Gabba. The morale-drained team, that was beaten miserably with a dismal total of 36 all out, came back 2-1 in the series with a sparkling batting resistance in the final innings.
The Indian contingent at that stage was also plagued by injuries causing a drain on its resources, leaving a relatively inexperienced line-up led by Ajinkya Rahane.
"They (India) are a tough side. I think Kohli has instilled that. Make no mistake, at home, they are a formidable outfit." Insisting that England will head into the India assignment with plenty of confidence after the 2-0 series sweep of Sri Lanka, Hussain urged the visitors to field their best eleven in the first Test.
"...I was brought up in India and I've always seen India vs England as one of the great series - all I would have asked is turn up to Chennai with your best 13 to 15 players.
"I think England fans have earned the right for their best team to be there that first day. If it means (Stuart) Broad and (James) Anderson playing together because it's a bit green, worry about the Ashes down the line."