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Published 19:03 IST, August 26th 2024

'He Had That Drive': Ex-India Coach's Take On What Made Virat Kohli A Fiery Test Skipper

Virat Kohli who took over as India's Test captain from MS Dhoni in 2015 stepped down from the role in 2022 after the IND vs SA away Test series

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Virat Kohli walks away after getting dismissed
Virat Kohli walks away after getting dismissed | Image: Associated Press

Virat Kohli, irrespective of his legendary status and his impeccable batting will always be known for how he led the Indian Test team. It was under Kohli's tenure that India's resurgence in the fast bowling department took place. Kohli had always emphasized on making Team India one of the greatest travelling Test team and he delivered the promise. Kohli scripted history in 2018-19 when he became the first Indian skipper to win a Test series in Australia.

There might be an argument, that the Aussies were without their two main batters Smith and Warner in the 2018-19 series, but no Australian team on their home soil is weak and it was Kohli's leadership that took the team to greater heights, especially in the longest format of the game. During his captaincy tenure, Kohli also heaps of runs, letting his bat do the talking.

Sanjay Bangar's Jaw-Dropping Take On Kohli, The Test Skipper

In 2019, Virat Kohli surpassed legendary MS Dhoni's tally of 27 wins and became India's most successful Test skipper. Kohli had taken over from MS Dhoni as Team India's Test skipper in 2015, when India were touring Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Many were left shocked when Virat stood down as India's Test captain after the 2022 Test series against South Africa. Former India coach Sanjay Bangar, while speaking on the Rao podcast said that according to him, Kohli should've continued to lead the side.

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'Virat was driven with the fact that India had to improve their performances overseas. Because in India we knew that whether anybody is there or not, with all due respect to the opposition, if you come to India, India is winning 75 per cent of the time. You'll really have to play poorly to lose in India,  I think he scored the maximum runs during that period as a captain and he had that drive', said Bangar.

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Virat Kohli And The Unfinished Business

Virat Kohli is one of the greatest to have ever played the game of cricket and there are no doubts about it. The former India captain has overseen many successful run chases and has won all the major white ball trophies. The pioneer of Test cricket and India's most successful Test captain has now his eyes set on the World Test Championship mace which he missed out on two different occasions.

Updated 19:03 IST, August 26th 2024