The way Virat Kohli conducts his business is contagious: England star Dawid Malan

England batsman David Malan on Tuesday praised Virat Kohli, saying that the infectious energy of the Indian captain is transmitted to his teammates.

Malian said India have tremendous depth and are well led by Kohli in all conditions.

Dawid Malan was included in the England Test side for the 3rd Test, starting August 25 in Headingley. The World No. 1 T20 batsman has been tasked with the role of adding solidity to the top order after repeated failures from the likes of Dom Sibley and Rory Burns. Malan is expected to bat at No. 3 while England captain Joe Root is likely to continue batting at No. 4.

India have rode on relentless effort from their pacers and solid opening combination to go 1-0 up after 2 Tests in the ongoing 5-match Test series.

“I think they (India) are very well led; I think Virat (Kohli), the way he goes about his business, he is very infectious and you know he drags a lot of people with him,” Malan said on Tuesday.

“They (India) have also got a lot of depth not only in their batting but in their bowling as well, they have got bowlers that can win Test cricket in all conditions.

“…they just have a lot of depth and they are fantastic competitors,” added the 33-year-old Malan, a left-handed top-order batsman, who has been recalled to the Test team.

Hopefully what I have is good enough to succeed: Malan

Malan last played a Test against India at Birmingham in August 2018. He has scored 724 runs from 15 Tests after making his debut against South Africa in 2017.

With captain Joe Root backing the No. 3 batsman, Malan expects a tough challenge against a top-quality Indian attack. But the left-hander is confident of playing to his strengths and getting the job done in the 3rd Test.

“It is actually not something that I have done a lot in my career in red-ball cricket, I might have done it 25 or 30 times. I try and play the same way, however, I play,” he added.

“I try and defend late, I try and leave as far as I can and try and put the bad ball away and I don’t think that changes much in the position,” he explained.

“If they bowl me 30 good balls and I manage to survive those 30 good balls then hopefully in the next 30 you get some bad balls…I just walk and play the same way as I would be batting at four, where I have batted the majority of my career and hopefully what I have is good enough to succeed.”