Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal praised Indian captain Virat Kohli, stating that the latter cannot be blamed only for his team’s defeat in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship against New Zealand.

Kamran Akmal Has No Doubt Over Virat Kohli’s Captaincy Credentials
Virat Kohli’s leadership skills and his performance with the bat have come under intense scrutiny ever since India lost the WTC Final to Kane Williamson’s New Zealand by 8 wickets in Southampton. It was the third ICC event where India failed to emerge victorious under his leadership.
However, Kamran Akmal believes that Virat Kohli is a wonderful leader and backed him to continue as Indian captain. While speaking on the ‘My Master Cricket Coach’ YouTube channel, the Pakistan cricketer said the Indian skipper is an absolute match-winner but has been a ‘bit unlucky’ on important occasions.
“Virat Kohli is a big player and a fantastic captain. He is aggressive and very emotional. Any captain who has come in has only taken Indian cricket forward. It started with Sourav Ganguly, then Rahul Dravid and MS Dhoni took over. Yes, everyone has complained that Virat Kohli hasn’t won any ICC trophy. But, apart from that, he has won almost everything. India has won so many series’ under Virat Kohli.”
“He has been a bit unlucky, but I have no doubt over his captaincy credentials. He is a great captain and match-winner,” Akmal said.
Virat Kohli-led India lost the WTC final to New Zealand. Under Virat Kohli, India has played three ICC tournaments and has failed to win any of them. Lack of match practice, another batting failure, and an ordinary bowling show summed up India’s failure in the match which mattered most-the WTC final.
Kamran Akmal: It Will Be Unfair To Blame Only Virat Kohli
The Pakistan cricketer further opined that the India team management needs to analyze why they are not winning big events.
“It (India not winning ICC events) is not completely Virat Kohli’s fault. What is the guarantee that another captain can come in and win India an ICC trophy? As a team, they have to analyze why they are not winning the big events. They reach the last stages but fail at the final hurdle. It will be unfair to blame only Virat Kohli. According to me, as long as he feels that he can do the job, he should continue,” he added.
Virat Kohli scored 44 and 13 in the two innings of the WTC final against the Black Caps. He was dismissed by his Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate Kyle Jamieson on both occasions.