IND vs SA ODIs: KL Rahul keen to do a Virat Kohli

Indias standin ODI captain KL Rahul wants to build Team Indiarsquos success formula on former skipper Virat Kohlirsquos pathRahul who led India in the second Test against South Africa at Johannesburg India lost by seven wickets as Kohli was suffering from a back spasm recently is excited to lead the country against the Proteas in threematch ODI series starting in Paarl todaylsquoAmazing ViratrsquoldquoWhen it comes to leadership I think Virat has this amazing ability to get the best out of everybody He pushed everybody and made us believe that we can do special things That is something that I learnt from him and hopefully I can do that with the ODI team as wellrdquo Rahul said during a virtual press conference in reply to middayrsquos query on Kohlirsquos qualities that he wants to emulate as a leader Kohli stepped down from the Test captaincy on Saturday after India suffered a 12 Test series defeat against South Africa Rahulrsquos name has been doing rounds along with that of Rohit Sharma currently out due to a hamstring injury wicketkeeperbatsman Rishabh Pant and standin ODI vicecaptain pacer Jasprit Bumrah to be the next India Test captainRahul reckoned the Test captaincy opportunity is exciting India will be playing a twoTest series against Sri Lanka beginning in Bangalore on February 25 ldquoTo lead the country is a dream come true something special which every captain will cherish for a long time and I am no different Yes it Test captaincy would be a huge responsibility if given to me It is something thatrsquos exciting I am not really looking for anything at this time but if it happens to come my way then Irsquoll try to carry Indian cricket forward to the best of my ability ldquoI had not given it Test captaincy a thought till the names came out till the articles or news has been doing the rounds Obviously I had the opportunity to lead the Test team in Johannesburg which was really special The result did not go as expected but it was a great learning experience for me and it would be something I will always be proud ofrdquo added Rahul who has 5887 international runs under his beltRahul 29 who made his Test ODI and T20I debut under Mahendra Singh Dhonirsquos captaincy said he will stay balanced while leading the team in South Africa Fresh startldquoI have learnt a lot from both MS and Virat I am human I will make mistakes along the way but I will learn and get better Thatrsquos where my mind is at This oneday series is a fresh start again and it is a great opportunity for me to captain my country I take every game as it comes I am not really someone who gets worried or gets too happy I stay balanced with the resultsrdquo explained Rahul who will have to move up the order from the No45 position he has been occupying in ODIs across the last one year or so given the absence of regular opener RohitHowever the standin skipper made it clear that his team will not be a predictable one and advised his teammates to be ready and flexible to bat at any position according to the teamrsquos strategy