Virat Kohli completely revolutionized Indian cricket, particularly the Test cricket format. Kohli commenced captaincy in 2014 and fostered a new brave spirit among the players, advocating that winning is crucial both at home and away from home.
Great achievements occurred during his period as a commander, such as the Indian cricket team’s first-ever Test series win in Australia, which was an unconquerable quest by Asian teams. In Kohli’s case, he was able to inspire and use the players to usher in a new phase in Indian cricket.
This approach revolution, which one of the former greats, Ricky Ponting, aptly applauded, was that under Kohli, Indian cricket was taken to a different level, hence setting the scene for great achievements in the future.
Kohli’s Test Captaincy Tenure
While Virat Kohli was Test captain, he captained India in 68 matches in which India won 40 and lost 17. Eleven of these games ended in draws, and that is his credit, too. Assertively, no other test captain had enjoyed such success as Kohli did – both at home and outside India, he was one of India’s most successful Test cricket captains.
Now, the next time he visits Australia, it will be as a team player under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. Earlier during the 2020-21 series, Kohli went on paternity leave for the birth of his daughter Vamika after the first Test.
Even without the talismanic Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane’s men displayed great fortitude, overcoming injuries and several beating losses of crucial players during this fixture and achieving a historic 2–1 series victory.
“Indians Don’t Fear the Big Stage Anymore”
India’s historic Test victory at the Gabba was a clear signal of their evolving cricketing prowess. Despite the Gabba being a challenging ground for visiting teams, India broke a 32-year spell by winning there, showing a new fearless spirit.
This shift in mindset can be attributed to the players’ ability to adapt well to different batting conditions. They no longer seem intimidated by famous venues like the Gabba or Optus Oval.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has played a significant role in this transformation. The high-pressure environment of the IPL prepares players for global challenges, turning them into aggressive and fearless competitors.
This change in attitude has been a game-changer, and it’s the same boldness that helps fans as they engage with platforms like FanDuel online sportsbook, where cheering on the underdog is part of the thrill.