Virat Kohli stepped down as India’s Test Team Captain yesterday in a not so expected move thus sending the Internet abuzz. Several commentators were seen speculating, analysing and commenting on Kohli’s move, which literally came like a bolt from the blue.
However, for me it was not that surprising and even if India had won the series in South Africa, I believe Virat had made his mind to quit the captaincy. This is all I can speculate. Just seeing the kind of person he is he would never have liked to captain a team on the basis of the colour of the ball. He never took half measures and therefore it was highly unlikely that he would have captained half of the matches that India played.
Since he has stepped down now, his contribution to the sport and particularly Indian Cricket, when we look back is nothing short of exemplary. He is the most successful Indian Test captain not by chance, but due to years and years of hard labour, seamless planning, a burning desire and an unparalleled work ethic. Ravi Shastri once said that he had not seen anyone work harder than Virat Kohli which had propelled him to the pinnacle of the sport. When the captain is working so hard, the team members have no option but to follow suit and the resultant is a team of winners.
Virat Kohli as captain did many things right, however there are three factors which I consider critical for the success the Indian Team has achieved under him.
1. Revolutionised Pace Bowling in India
Virat has been a fast bowler’s captain and has been successful in putting together a bunch of high quality pace bowlers. Under his reign India has turned into a bowling powerhouse which has been instrumental in India winning consistently overseas.
2. Instilling self belief in the Team
For the past 3-4 years India has been a dominant team across all formats in the world. A lot of credit should go to Virat for this. He has made his team believe that they can win. He has been able to foster the never say die spirit in the team. They stand up and fight now and are difficult to dislodge anywhere in the world.
3. He has brought in focus and aggression on the field
Virat has always been passion personified on the field, his body language has been aggressive and he means business. This has rubbed on the team no end and India now plays that aggressive brand of cricket which is both successful, entertaining and pleasing to the eye.
Virat Kohli’s exit from the captaincy in India is surely going to create a void even though he continues as a player and whosoever walks to take his place will have very large boots to fill. The only comfort is that Virat has created a template of winning which just needs to be replicated.
Virat Kohli, what a sportsman, what a player, what an ambassador of Indian Cricket and that of the world, what a leader, what a legend, what an inspiration…Three Cheers!!!
And still there is a lot more to come.