Former West Indies skipper Vivian Richards feels the Virat Kohli-led Indian Team can enter the ‘great category’ if it succeeds in replicating their performance of the just-concluded home season overseas against teams like Australia and England.
Team India enjoyed a sensational home season, winning series against New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia, consolidating their place at the top of Test ranking but many still believe that the world number one team will face their real Test once they play in tough conditions outside the country. And Richards, who was a part of the legendary West Indies team of the 80s, believes that if India manages to come out with flying colours in overseas series, they can be considered as one of the greatest teams of all time.
“I think the next level for him (Kohli) and the team after such success, the teams that you need to encounter overseas, would be Australia and England. And if you can do what you have done here…(then) The Indian team will be getting (into the) great category,” the batting legend told PTI.
“It’s (recent home season) has been very good, it’s a formidable record they have set,” he added.
India played 13 Tests in the marathon home season, winning ten, drawing 2 and losing just one. The former opening batsman further called India’s series against Australia the toughest of the lot. The home team began the series in a disastrous manner as they lost the first match by a massive 333 runs. But they won the second and final Test to win the series 2-1.
“The last series against Australia was one of the toughest encounters….they (India) came through. It was a remarkable achievement,” he said.
Richards also had a word of praise for Virat Kohli’s aggression. The India skipper was at the centre of controversy during the heated series against Australia and was severely criticised by the media and players from Down Under but Richards fully backed him.
“As an individual who likes to see class, not just batting, I like his (Virat’s) aggression as a captain. He is going to defend his players at every opportunity and I see nothing wrong in that. India must be blessed to have such an individual who is capable of delivering so much, he defends his team every time and that to me is very special,” Richards said when asked whether Virat’s aggression was a boon or a bane.
“You get a lot…and you give us as much as you get. I see nothing wrong with a confrontational side (of sledging). (But) If someone starts playing the race card, about someone’s colour of skin, (then) that is rubbish in my opinion,” he added.