After win in South Africa, captain Virat Kohli has the last laugh
Captaincy debates can be interesting. When Virat Kohli’s Men in Blue were struggling during the first two Tests in South Africa, a couple of former greats said there should be someone in the Indian camp to check him. A comment like this, coming from none other than Graeme Smith, was interesting. There were a few more who said letting Kohli call all the shots needed to be curbed!
One is not sure if Kohli heard these comments or his social media managers played it back to him, but the inspirational captain has responded in a manner in which only he can. The turnaround in the third Test was stomach-churning. Kohli won the toss, went in with five fast bowlers and yet chose to bat first. Cricket experts who have played the sport in gullies and internationals were livid with Kohli.
It was as if the man in-charge of the India team in all three formats — Tests, ODIs and T20 matches — was conspiring to lose. In no time, Kohli smashed a crafty hundred, which came for praise from all quarters, and then ensured India won the Test. So, what is about the Indian team which has made it possible for them to bounce back so sharply? It all boils down to one man’s leadership skills and how he motivates the boys.
One quote from a man who has been part of Kohli’s side but now finds himself on the sidelines sums it up. “He (Kohli) is someone who will go for a win come what may. He does not have a negative bone in his body, he always talks about a win, never about saving situations, we’re always moving ahead. It is good because the players know what is required from them. It gives an amazing amount of intensity to the team,” said R Ashwin recently in Chennai.
Usually, one would find a player not being picked trying to look for negatives in his leader. After all, Aswhin and Ravindra Jadeja being out of the ODI mix and Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav coming in to torment the South Africans in the ongoing ODI series has grabbed headlines.
Captaincy can be a burden and captaincy can also be a joy. Someone like Sachin Tendulkar never enjoyed captaincy and gave up after a brief stint, perhaps because he was expecting his teammates to perform at his level. If you compare what Ashwin is saying with former greats, it’s clear Kohli hits the overdrive button each time he is on the field.
The skipper’s batting in ODIs has been so aggressive, he is not even relying on boundaries and sixes. He has talked of working extremely hard on his fitness and wanting to continue like this for another five years.
The big challenge in 2018 after the South Africa series is competing in England and then Australia. In 2019, the ICC World Cup will be the big test. To be sure, in the ODIs, Kohli has imposed great faith in his predecessor MS Dhoni.
Usually, when a young captain takes over and his side includes a few senior players, there is a tendency to look over the shoulders. In Kohli’s case, he has given Dhoni the power to control. It’s visible on the field when Dhoni is adjusting the field setting and also talking to bowlers in between.
What this conveys is enormous trust between Kohli and Dhoni and how there is such a strong bonding between the two. It also puts to rest rumours some time ago about how Dhoni’s days are numbered! At the current rate, he looks more than good for the World Cup in 2019.
In a way, Kohli relying on Dhoni for many decisions gives him greater freedom to focus on his own batting. When Kohli slammed 160 in the third ODI, he had gone past Sachin Tendulkar’s mark of being the highest scorer in South Africa. It may be a great piece of statistics for Kohli fans, but he does not bat for records. If there is anything which drives Kohli, it’s excellence and raising the bar consistently.
This has a great rub-off effect on his teammates as they know what to do and will be backed. The worry so far has been Rohit Sharma’s batting. Like the drought in South Africa, runs have dried up from his blade. Yet, skipper Kohli is backing him to come good. Kohli is not worried about criticism which he gets for backing players or dropping them.
His decision to leave out Ajinkya Rahane for the first two Tests was dissected. And when Rahane came back for the third Test and scored, Kohli baiters were at work. Viewed from beyond the boundary, Kohli appears as calm as Gautam Buddha. It’s this quality which is so fascinating, as he performs and proves himself day after day. Statistics say he is scoring a ton in every four ODIs as captain. Nirvana for you.
(Courtesy of Mail Today)
Also read: When Virat Kohli asked you to 'unfollow' him on Twitter