Prolific Indian batsman Virat Kohli on Tuesday said the Asia Cup being played in Bangladesh will provide a great preparatory platform for team ahead of the World T20 to be played in India.
For the first time in the history of Asia Cup, the tournament will be played in the T20 format.
"It gives us different opportunities to assess what the teams are like, what the balance is like, their strengths and weaknesses are and where do we stand against them. How the matches have been played. Ya, it's a great opportunity I guess if we see it as a whole package before the World cup," Kohli told the media on the eve of the Asia Cup.
The 26-year-old said that his side were not looking at any team as a 'major threat' and that they were only focusing on backing their strengths.
Considering 'momentum' as a major factor in T20 cricket, Kohli also called on his side to analyse the oppositions' weaknesses to position themselves well in the tournament.
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"Every team is dangerous in the T20 format. I don't think any particular team holds the advantage. On that day anyone can beat anyone. So we are not looking at any team as a major threat. We obviously take a challenge. Every game counts in this tournament and things can change very quickly. Momentum is a big factor in Twenty20 cricket. We are not focusing on the strengths of the opposition too much.
We need to back our strengths and find out the weaknesses in the opposition to win the cricket," Kohli insisted.
Kohli further lavished praise on fast-medium bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who played a major role in India's 3-0 T20 series win against Australia.
"Jasprit as Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the biggest find in the Australian series. I think he has come on board and bowled with lot of hard and a lot confidence. He knows exactly how to get the batsman out. He has a proper plan before he bowls. And I think that is very heartening to see. He has got a different action as well which people find it hard to pick at this stage. He is making use of most of it. He is a very confident cricketer and that shows on the field," the vice-captain added.
Expressing his views on returned tainted fast bowler Mohmmad Amir, Kohli said that he was pleased to see him back, insisting that he had always been a good bowler.
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If he would have played in these last five years, then he must be among top bowlers .He has good skills. I wish him all the best. He has worked hard to return to this stage and it requires courage to do that," he added.
India will head into Asia Cup T20 as the number one team in the world and will aim to lift the shortest format's pinnacle event title for a second time.
