Some of the advantages that resulted from Virat Kohli’s time leading the Indian cricket team were highlighted by former great off-spin icon Harbhajan Singh. The former off-spinner for India accepted that Kohli’s leadership did not result in a World Cup victory for the Men in Blue, but he was praised for having instilled a great deal of drive and faith in the group. India won 135 of the 213 games in which Kohli captained the team across all formats.
As a captain, only the great MS Dhoni has amassed more victories. Nonetheless, the Delhi hitter was highly praised for leading the Test team and leading India to some notable victories abroad. Both cricket enthusiasts and analysts praised the way the Indian squad battled some of the top teams in the globe under challenging circumstances, putting out fire with fire. Under Kohli’s guidance, the Asian heavyweights emerged victorious in 40 out of 68 games.
Harbhajan emphasised Kohli’s influence on the side that won the series 2-1 in 2020–21, so retaining the Border–Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Before taking his paternity leave and going home, the right-handed batter led the team in the first Test match, which India lost.
For the final few games, Ajinkya Rahane served as India’s acting captain, and he led his team to their first-ever series victory in Australia. Still, for the team’s tenacity, Kohli received a great deal of praise. Additionally, Harbhajan highlighted the innings that young players like Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill played in assembling a historic victory in the tour’s last Test in Gabba.
“Even if you didn’t win a World Cup while Kohli was captain, he is still an excellent player and skipper. The passion he kindled among the team meant that, even if we were chasing 400 in the fourth Test innings, we wouldn’t give up. We fall, and we fall while pursuing. It requires a lot of guts and brains, which the squad has learnt from Kohli,” Harbhajan stated in a Sports Yaari interview, which the Times of India cited.
“The tenacity of mind that Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant displayed to win the test in Gabba. He went on, “It was because of the way the team’s mindset shifted.
Is it possible for Virat Kohli to win against New Zealand?
In related news, during the just finished series between India and Bangladesh, veteran batsman Virat Kohli did not enjoy himself at the bat on his return to Test cricket. He didn’t live up to his high expectations, scoring just 99 runs in four innings.
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Beginning on October 16, Team India will take on New Zealand in three home Test matches. The 35-year-old wants to get back into peak form before the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins next month.