Reliving Virat Kohli- The Captain

Do you support Virat Kohli's Captaincy?

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As a cricketer I think he is the best in the world,especially when you consider the immense pressure he is under as Indian captain.As a person he just comes across as a complete knob.
 
It’s just the obsession Indians have with him is ridiculous, he’s not that good.

TBH I am not his fan and neither do I like him much either. But I don't think that he is someone who is not good. I remember one of the greatest player of this game (Sir Vivian Richards) calling Kohli a "legend already".[DOUBLEPOST=1565786286][/DOUBLEPOST]
Steve Smith is better.

In Test Cricket definitely. But when it comes to the limited overs format I would rate someone like Rohit Sharma ahead of him.
 
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Chapter 6- The Greatest LOI Player for India & a 3-format player

The consistency of Kohli had reached a peak now and only an extreme mishap could have stopped his progress. Kohli started getting chances to bat at no.3 for India in limited overs format. For him playing at no. 3 was like,

Virat Kohli said:
"If I get in early at three, I have the option to analyse about the game what is going on and play my game accordingly. I want to execute my plans batting at No. 3. I feel confident that I can control the game better at No. 3."

Kohli started confidently playing against Sri Lanka in the 5-match ODI series in Sri Lanka in 2012. He scored a couple of hundreds in that series. Then he came back home to play a 2-match Test series against New Zealand off the back of a brilliant 100 which he scored in Adelaide that year. With Laxman deciding to take rest for the series and Dravid's retirement along with Pujara's admission, Kohli was asked to bat at no.5. He didn't disappoint either scoring a couple of half centuries and a match winning 100 at Bengaluru.

Then India went to play WT20 in Sri Lanka. In the first match against Afghanistan Virat Kohli scored 50(39) against Afghanistan and 40(32) against England. India won by 23 and 90 runs respectively and reached the Super 8 stage.

In the Super 8 stage in the first match Kohli had a rare failure scoring just 15 as eventually Australia won by 9 wickets chasing 141. In the next match against arch rivals Pakistan, Kohli single handedly won the match for India scoring 78*(61) in a chase of 129. In their last match, India had to win by a minimum margin of 28 runs. Kohli just scored 2 and India were eventually eliminated as the Proteas choked by a run.

Now India had to play the no.1 Test side England at home in a 4 match series. Kohli struggled through the series as India decided to prepare rank-turners where batting became difficult. Kohli still managed to score a ton in the last match of the series but England went on to win the series 2-1. Their first Test series win in India in last 27 years. Virat Kohli's average form continued in the ODI series against Pakistan and England respectively as he managed just one score in excess of 50 in 7 matches. There were question marks that Kohli shouldn't be in the Indian team but Indian skipper MS Dhoni backed him and called him as the best batsman they had in the India ODI team.


Kohli scored a 100 against Australia in the 1st Test of the 4-match series. He scored a couple more half-centuries in the series as India went on the white wash Australia in a Test series the first time in their history.

During the Champions Trophy 2013, India were looking for their opening pair. They decided to open with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan who ensured India got off to good starts every now and then. Kohli brought out his best during the knockout stages. He scored 58 against Sri Lanka in the Semi-final chasing a meagre 182 as India reached the Final by 8 wickets. In the Final which eventually turned out to be a T20 match because of rain. Due to consistent rain fall for almost 4 hours the surface became difficult to score runs off. Kohli scored 43(34) and a late finish from Ravindra Jadeja helped India to a respectable 129. England eventually fell short by 5 runs as India won the Champions Trophy for the 2nd time being joint winners with Sri Lanka back in 2002.

After Champions Trophy India went to West Indies to play a Tri-series with West Indies and Sri Lanka. MS Dhoni injured himself in India's first match which West Indies went on to win by just 1 wicket chasing 230. Kohli being the best batsman in the side and also the vice-Captain was given the Captaincy till the time Dhoni recovered. India conceded 348/1 to Sri Lanka as Upul Tharanga scored 174*(159). India just managed 187 to lose the match by 161 runs and It was felt that Dhoni's absence would cost India heavily. In the next match against the home team at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad India managed to score 311/8 off the back of a scintillating 102(83) from skipper Virat Kohli supported by a 123 run opening partnership. India went on to win by 101 through Duckworth-Lewis method. In their last match India were on 119/3 in 29 overs when rain interruption occured. The match was reduced to 26 overs with Sri Lanka needing 179 to win. A lose for the Indian side would've put them out of the tournament. Kohli rotated his bowlers well with Bhuvneshwar Kumar having bowling figures of 4/8 with 1 maiden in his 6 overs which helped India bowl out Sri Lanka for just 96!!! MS Dhoni came back to play the Final as India won the Final by 1 wicket beating Sri Lanka in the last over with the help of a classic Dhoni finish.

India toured Zimbabwe where Dhoni was rested and Kohli Captained India for the entire series. India won the 5-match series 5-0 as Amit Mishra was adjudged player of the series for his 18 wickets. Kohli also scored 100 in one of the matches of that series.

India were the no.1 ODI side and required to beat Australia in the 7-match ODI series to retain it. Australia won the first match comprehensively by 72 runs. In the 2nd match of the series India were to chase 360. They got off to a solid start and put on 187 for the first wicket. The best was yet to come. Kohli came out all guns blazing and scored the fastest ODI hundred for India off just 52 balls. Rohit Sharma also scored 142*. India won by an enormous margin of 9 wickets with nearly 8 overs to spare!!! Australia won the next match by 4 wickets and next couple of matches got washed out. India were required to win all their matches now to win the series. Australia once again put up a massive score of 350 in the 6th match of that series. India started positively once again and this time put on 178 for the first wicket. India lost their plot after they lost Dhawan for 100(102) with the score on 234/2 in 36 overs. Kohli ensured that he stayed positive as he scored 115*(66) as India won by 6 wickets with 3 balls to spare. Kohli received a complement by Harsha Bhogle during the match when he scored his 100.

Harsha Bhogle said:
"Chase the better chaser than this young man !!!!"

Which showed that how highly he was regarded as a batsman in run-chases by his team and his country at large.

India scored 387/5 in the last match of the series with Rohit Sharma scoring 209 while Kohli was run-out for a duck. But it was evident that India had found the best top 3 in their history of ODI Cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar decided to retire from all forms of Cricket after playing his 200th Test against the West Indies in a 2-match Test series. Kohli scored nearly a run-a-ball fifty in Tendulkar's farewell Test as he realised that he would've to take the no.4 spot once Tendulkar goes. Kohli ended the year reaching a tally of 4000 ODI runs in his career and was highly praised by Sir Vivian Richards as a modern day great player.

India toured South Africa for a 3-match ODI series followed by a 2 match Test series. Kohli scored 30 in the first match and a duck in the second while the third match was washed out. South Africa won the 3-match series 2-0. Kohli found form in the Test series scoring 119 & 96 in the first match which ended in a draw. In the second match he scored 46 & 11. India lost that match ending their tour without a win.

Then India went on to NZ to play 5 ODIs and 2 Tests. Kohli scored a ton in the first match and a couple of half centuries to follow. India lost the ODI series 4-0 with a tie in the 3rd ODI. Kohli finally scored his first Test Century in NZ in the Test series which India lost 1-0

Kohli was made the Captain in Asia Cup as Dhoni was rested. India just beat Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the Asia Cup losing close matches to Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

In the WT20 in Bangladesh in 2014, Kohli scored 3 half centuries which included a 77 in the Final but India just managed 130 in the Final as Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets. Kohli was adjudged man of the tournament.
 
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Virat Kohli is a good captain but not the best as he still needs to learn a lot as sometimes he chokes in pressure situations and most of the times lose his calmness. He is a lucky man as Dhoni is still there from whom he can learn from.
At this time, I think Kane Williamson is the best captain as he is a gentleman and he knows how to handle pressure situation.
Anyone who likes Kane Williamson here.....!!?
 
Ok, here you go.

http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Batting/BattingAverages.asp?Stat=1

Test average comes in at rank 23. You have Smith at number 2 only behind Bradman, and Williamson at 25.

So again, i stand by my statement. Kohli is good, but not that good. The obsession with him is strange.
Nobody disputes that Smith is better in Tests. Cherry picking stats like this just proves my point. Since you like averages, let's compare ODI ones, with a 20 innings cut-off (the table you posted has the same cut-off)
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282911.html
Kohli is 2nd, Smith is 52nd.
Chasing is much harder in ODIs, so let's compare 2nd innings averages, with a 20 innings cut-off.
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...nnings;size=100;template=results;type=batting
Kohli is 1st, with an average of 68.50. Smith is 38th.

Now, i didn't compare Kohli with Smith, you did. I simply asked you to prove that Kohli "isn't that good". Those numbers i posted above are pretty impressive for someone who isn't that good, right?
 
Ok, here you go.

http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Batting/BattingAverages.asp?Stat=1

Test average comes in at rank 23. You have Smith at number 2 only behind Bradman, and Williamson at 25.

So again, i stand by my statement. Kohli is good, but not that good. The obsession with him is strange.

And I thought that the bloke who claimed that he wasn't successful in ODI World Cup knockouts to diminish his achievements was being clueless, but this is even worse. :lol
 
Nobody disputes that Smith is better in Tests. Cherry picking stats like this just proves my point. Since you like averages, let's compare ODI ones, with a 20 innings cut-off (the table you posted has the same cut-off)
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282911.html
Kohli is 2nd, Smith is 52nd.
Chasing is much harder in ODIs, so let's compare 2nd innings averages, with a 20 innings cut-off.
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...nnings;size=100;template=results;type=batting
Kohli is 1st, with an average of 68.50. Smith is 38th.

Now, i didn't compare Kohli with Smith, you did. I simply asked you to prove that Kohli "isn't that good". Those numbers i posted above are pretty impressive for someone who isn't that good, right?
Wow. I think this is the best reason one can give. Come up with something better mate !
My original point is not to compare him to anyone. And I never said he wasn’t good. Not really trying to compare him to others, link simply showed his average on the test arena.

See this is the problem. So many people, mainly Indians, are OBSESSED with Kohli.

He is elevated to this level of ‘god like’ ability.

My point still stands though (even though a few people just got triggered)

He is good, but not that good.

If he was the greatest thing since sliced bread he would be clear #1, or close to it l, in all categories and wouldn’t choke in major tournaments
 
My original point is not to compare him to anyone. And I never said he wasn’t good. Not really trying to compare him to others, link simply showed his average on the test arena.

See this is the problem. So many people, mainly Indians, are OBSESSED with Kohli.

He is elevated to this level of ‘god like’ ability.

My point still stands though (even though a few people just got triggered)

He is good, but not that good.

If he was the greatest thing since sliced bread he would be clear #1, or close to it l, in all categories and wouldn’t choke in major tournaments

Obvious troll is obvious. You are the one operating like the British media, building him up only to knock him down again. So many of what you said are baseless arguments that can be easily disproven but given that you would simply brush them off as ‘triggered’, there is no point in further discussion. Have a good day mate.
 
My original point is not to compare him to anyone. And I never said he wasn’t good. Not really trying to compare him to others, link simply showed his average on the test arena.

See this is the problem. So many people, mainly Indians, are OBSESSED with Kohli.

He is elevated to this level of ‘god like’ ability.

My point still stands though (even though a few people just got triggered)

He is good, but not that good.

If he was the greatest thing since sliced bread he would be clear #1, or close to it l, in all categories and wouldn’t choke in major tournaments
Nobody considers him "God-like", mate, at least on these forums. It may seem like that to you because people in the subcontinent are extremely passionate about cricket, and i admit there are plenty of irrational fans, but i haven't seen any on this site. Everyone knows he has limits.
But you can definitely say that, considering all three formats, he is arguably the best current batsman. And at the end of his career, he'll be the best ODI batsman of all time. His numbers in ODIs are simply mind blowing. So i definitely think that your opinion of him is not an unbiased one, maybe influenced by his attitude on the field, but again, check his stats that i posted above.
 
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Chapter 7- Decline in the career

After doing well in places like South Africa and New Zealand Kohli had a big challenge ahead of him. That was to tour England and score runs over there. The Indian team were to tour England between 22nd July and 7th September 2014. They were to play 5 Test matches, 5 ODIs and a one-off T20.

Virat Kohli was expected to do the bulk scoring for India in this series. There were a lot of expectations for him from his fans and the former players. Again the excitement regarding Kohli's performance in England was immense in both among his fans and his critics.

Before the start of the Test series India played Leicestershire in their 3-day tour match. They had a pretty good start with the bat in that match scoring 333/4 dec. but Kohli just managed 29 dismissed off an in-swinger from right arm medium pacer Shiva Thakor losing his off-stump. But he was expected to do well as the series progressed.

After drawing both their tour matches against Leicestershire and Derbyshire respectively, India moved to Trent Bridge to play the First Test of the Test series. After getting off to a good start India were reduced to 106/2 with Dhawan and Pujara being dismissed on 12 and 38 respectively by Jimmy Anderson and in came Kohli. Kohli started of nervously defending few deliveries and getting a run on one of those. In the very next over Stuart Broad bowled a back of the length ball coming in and straightening at the last moment, Kohli with an angled bat poked at it and the catch went straight to Ian Bell in the slips. Kohli was criticised a lot for the shot he played while he was equally dissapointed with himself. India managed 457 with Murali Vijay managing to score 146 while Anderson grabbed yet another 5-wicket haul in his career. And there was lot of resistance shown by the Indian tail that went on to score 111 for the last wicket with Bhuvi and Shami chipping in with fifties. In England's innings Bhuvi took a 5-wicket haul but England tail was no different. They scored way more than India putting on 198 for their last wicket with Anderson scoring career best 81 while Joe Root was not out on 154. England took a lead of 41 runs. India trying to force a result lost Shikhar Dhawan who scored a quick fire 29 at the score of 49. Vijay and Pujara once again grinded it out with useful 50s. At 140/2 arrived Kohli who was once again dismissed by Stuart Broad early in his innings this time LBW on 8. It was rather a poor start to Kohli's England tour.

The troubles increased for Kohli as England prepared a green track Lord's with lot of movement on offer for the English bowlers. And what Indian fans feared the most happened. Kohli edged one to Prior off the bowling of Jimmy Anderson leaving India at 86/3 at Lunch and later in the day were reduced to 142/7. They still managed 295 thanks to a brilliant 100 from Ajinkya Rahane. England scored 319 and Bhuvi took 5 wickets for the 2nd time on the tour. India needed a good lead if they were to win this match. After a good start India were reduced to 118/2 with a lead of just 94 runs. Kohli was dismissed on a golden duck to Liam Plunkett off a delivery that climbed off the slope taking an inside edge of Kohli's bat back on to the middle stump while he shouldered his arms. This exposed Kohli's weakness against quality swing bowling. He never really recovered from it throughout the series as he scored 134 runs at a miserable average of 13.40 and was dismissed 4 times by Jimmy Anderson.


downloadfile-4.jpg
The above picture can help you understand Kohli's struggle in a better way.

In the One-day series Kohli continued to struggle. After the first match being washed out at Bristol, India moved to Cardiff for the 2nd match which was technically the first match of the series. In the 2nd ODI Kohli stepped out with a lofted off drive to Jimmy Anderson chipping it straight to Alastair Cook at mid-off. In the 3rd ODI Kohli struggled his way to 40 before he was dismissed. Kohli remained not out without scoring in the 4th ODI as India won comprehensively by 9 wickets chasing 219. But his woes were still continuing as he edged James Anderson in the slips in the last match of the ODI series for yet another single digit scores.

In the one-off T20I match he finally got some good runs scoring 66 while chasing 187 which India eventually lost 4 runs but certainly helped Kohli finish the England tour in a positive way.

This thing of decline in form or you can say a considerable drop in performance can happen with any player. Any player playing the game atleast have one lean patch in their careers so it's not a new thing that happened with Kohli.

Years after this tour in 2017 Kohli gave his own views regarding it and explained the reason why he was consistently failing.

Virat Kohli said:
I had put too much pressure on myself before going to England that I needed to score here. I don't know why sub-continent players are given different benchmarks that we have to perform in certain countries and if you don't do that, you are not considered a good player.

I think it was more about me being desperate to do well in England and then when you don't do well at the start, you start going down mentally.

Technique is important, but even people with not that strong technique have been able to score well there because of a good mindset. The problem with me was that I was expecting in-swingers too much and opened up my hip a lot more than I should have done. I was constantly looking for the in-swinger and was in no position to counter the out-swing.

I used to stand at two-leg (middle stump) and my stance was pretty closed. Then I figured out that after initial movement my toe wasn't going towards point. Rather, it was towards cover-point, so anyway my hip was opening up initially. So to get the feel of the ball, I had to open up my hip as I was too side-on. Anyway, I had too much of a bottom-hand grip and I didn't have too much room for my shoulder, to adjust to the line of the ball, so it was getting too late when it swung in front of my eyes.

Source for the quote
 
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