Dubai: Indian Test cricket captain Virat Kohli wants to do as much as he possibly can to ensure the tapping of vast sporting talent within the country.

Kohli’s association with various sporting disciplines has been growing over the past few months. Last week, Kohli was announced as an investor and co-owner in the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) with the Bengaluru Yodhas team.

In addition, the 27-year-old also has a stake in the FC Goa squad that last night became the first team to enter the final of the Indian Super League (ISL), scheduled to be held in Goa on December 20.

Earlier this summer, Kohli came on board as co-owner of the UAE Royals squad along with UAE-based businessmen Sachin Gadoya, Neelesh Bhatnagar, Rahul Saharia and Praveen Bhatnagar. “For me, ultimately it is sport that matters. Growing up, the only opportunities and facilities we had were in cricket. I went on to do well in cricket but I had limited opportunities to play other sports,” Kohli told Gulf News after watching the ISL semi-finals live on television between FC Goa and Delhi Dynamos.

“I know what it is to be without proper facilities in a sport. So whenever I get an opportunity to lend a helping hand in promoting talent in other sports I am more than happy to do so,” Kohli said.

“Honestly, I lend a hand because I am in a position to do something for sport at large and I am more than happy to do so. It is not very often that people get these sort of opportunities to assist in the development of sport or in identifying the vast talent we have back home. And that explains why I am more than happy to help out,” Kohli explained.

The hottest property in Indian cricket, who is an avid Roger Federer fan, was pleasantly happy to see the tennis players having a fine time when he visited the India leg of the IPTL in New Delhi last week. “Everyone was enjoying each others’ company. There was great team environment and I was only too pleased to come to Dubai so that I could be part of this spirit,” he said.

With the One-day series against Australia early next year looming large, Kohli felt that the India team is still a work in progress. Australia will host India in five ODIs and three T20s next month. “I feel it is a pretty fair assessment of my capabilities on the field by some of the greats [including Sunil Gavaskar and Saurav Ganguly]. It is a fair assessment not just for me, but for the team as well. We are a work in progress. This is a young team and we are getting better each day,” Kohli remarked.

“Australia will be a great opportunity for us, not just to win but to also prove that we are as good as anyone else,” he added.