Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Ray Jennings today said he hoped to see Virat Kohli leading India to the number one position in world cricket in the next five years, provided he maintains his cool while captaining the national side.
"Virat understands he has a hot head and also understands he needs to look at that. He is young enough to accept these issues and I think he needs time to rectify those issues. He is not a stupid cricketer. He is a smart guy and has ambition to captain India," Jennings said.
"If he makes the same mistakes consistently you are going to find out that the system is not going to buy into his style of behaviour or character. I think if the Indian cricket is smart it needs need to get a group of people around Virat and mentor him for a period of time.
"I don't think you get leaders. He is a leader and I have seen him change. Last year he didn't spend as much time in the gym. He is a gym fanatic and leads from the front. Hopefully after five years I can sit back and see Virat lead India to No. 1 position in the world," Jennings told reporters here.
Kohli has been batting impressively over the past couple of years, prompting speculations that he would take over the mantle from Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the future.
"As a leader you will find people around Virat benefiting from his fighting spirit. Six years ago India never had that fighting spirit. Then there was one or two tours where Rahul Dravid, Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar got together and tried to show the world the fighting spirit.
"I think Virat can take on any opposition in the world but having said that could probably could be his downfall as well and he needs to understand what is his strength and weaknesses," he said.
