Kolkata: Virat Kohli has enjoyed a lot of success as a Test captain so far. Statistically, the Indian Test team under Kohli’s captaincy has played a total of 27 Test matches out of which India has won 17, drawn seven and lost only three.
With him at the helm, the young Indian team went on to become the number one Test side a year ago and also have beaten heavyweight sides like Australia, England and New Zealand. But former skipper Sourav Ganguly feels that the 28-year old right-hander is yet to be tested as a captain.
India would tour South Africa later this year and travel to England in 2018, which would undoubtedly be a strong challenge for Kohli and his team.
Speaking to India Today, Ganguly said, “Virat hasn’t been tested yet. Sri Lanka is probably not the strongest Test side at the moment. For me, the fans as well as for Virat Kohli himself, the yardstick will be how well his side performs in South Africa, Australia and England.”
India are currently touring Sri Lanka for a three test matches, five ODI’s and a one-off T20. India played clinical cricket at Galle and walked away with a 304 run win and a 1-0 lead in the Test series.
On the emphatic win, Ganguly said, “India are perfectly balanced with so much firepower in their batting, bowling and fielding. Sri Lanka on the other hand, have a lot to worry about. The last two years they have been wonderful, especially away from home. Under Anil they won everything in the West Indies and then came the home season. I feel India won’t be challenged in these conditions. Kohli is absolutely right when he said in the post match ceremony that ‘they have been clinical in their performance.”
He also added, that the Sri Lankans needed to bowl well to dismiss the likes of Dhawan, Pujara, Kohli and Rahane. “Sri Lanka have a lot to think about on how to get batsmen like Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane out. If they don’t bowl well they will have to field a lot in these hot and humid conditions,” opined the former Indian skipper.
Kohli’s captaincy is much like Ganguly, as he carries that extra bit of passion and aggression on to the field. But Ganguly is right in saying the real test of character for the 28-year old lies ahead as India’s recent Test wins have all come at home barring the one against the West Indies and the win in Sri Lanka two days ago.
With the conditions being different and the pitch not known, the number one Test side would be tested and it is the decisions that Kohli would make under those circumstances would help in his evolution as a successful captain.