Even in defeat, Virat Kohli stood up like a champion

Tags: India, Virat Kohli

Published on: Dec 13, 2014

If you look at the scorecards of the two teams at Adelaide, one thing would be pretty clear – only one team dominated the Test, and deserved to win, and that as Australia.

If you look at the scorecards of the two teams at Adelaide, one thing would be pretty clear – only one team dominated the Test, and deserved to win, and that as Australia. The hosts had four hundreds in the match, and one fifty. They lost only 12 wickets, and declared in both innings. On the contrary, India recorded only two hundreds, and four fifties. They were bowled out in both innings. While no Indian bowler claimed more than two wickets for India, Nathan Lyon claimed five-for in both innings. In spite of this, India lost only by 48 runs, and one man was chiefly responsible for the same.


Virat Kohli came into the game under extreme pressure. His technique had been completely exposed in England, and there were questions being asked over whether he was good enough to succeed in Australia in spite of his wonderful past performances in the country. India’s recent record in overseas wouldn’t have made matters easier for him. It was almost as if India were expected to lose, and Kohli destined to fail again. The fact that he had to lead the side in the absence of MS Dhoni would have only added to the pressure on him.


Keeping all the above points in mind, one can have nothing but admiration for the 26-year-old, who was making his captaincy debut. For a player to score a hundred in each innings is a special achievement. But, for a captain to do the same, and that too in his first match as leader in spectacular. It shouldn’t be surprising to note that only one player, the legendary Greg Chappell, had previously achieved the feat that Kohli repeated at the Adelaide Oval. It was a near flawless effort that marks the beginning of a new chapter in Kohli’s already illustrious career.


There were so many reasons why Kohli desperately needed to get things right at Adelaide. Had he failed, the critics would have found it very easy to target him, especially considering that his personal life had been splashed around all over on page three prior to the Aussie series. As mentioned earlier, the England disaster was also on many people’s minds. Under the circumstances, the manner in which Kohli responded was proof of his excellent temperament. Not only the pre-match situation, but the pressure and extremely tough batting conditions under which Kohli came up with his second hundred on the final day was sensational in every sense.


The pessimist might argue that it call counted for little since, just like under MS Dhoni, India again capitulated and lost another overseas Test. True, there is no denying the disappointing aspect. At the same time, it must be admitted that Kohli’s approach was a lot more refreshing. While Dhoni has looked jaded as leader, Kohli at least led from the front with the bat. There is still a long time before his tactical acumen can be judged, but for efforts he deserves full marks. Even in defeat, India looked a better outfit under Kohli, and in the best interest of the team, India shouldn’t hesitate on continuing with him even with Dhoni is available.


--By A Cricket Analyst

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