Virat Kohli is generally an aggressive player on the field. He has become the most successful Indian captain in the test format. He also was the first Indian skipper to win a Test series in Australia as the Indian side dominated the hosts in 2018/19. His mere presence on the field has instilled some fear in the minds of the opposition players.
Looking at Virat Kohli’s demeanour on the field and his passion for success, former Indian coach Greg Chappell has called him the “most Australian non-Australian” cricketer of all time and thanked the sport’s “most important” figure for setting an example with his “all-out aggression”.
Virat Kohli Doesn’t Believe In Passive Resistance, And His Plan Is To Dominate Opposition: Greg Chappell
The Greg Chappell and Sourav Ganguly controversy in 2005-06 involved highly publicized infighting in the Indian cricket team between the then newly appointed coach Greg Chappell and captain Sourav Ganguly.
The dispute resulted in the removal of Sourav Ganguly as captain and axing from the ODI team and Test team at the end of January 2006. The dispute stirred up strong emotions in India. Eventually, Sourav Ganguly was recalled to the team in both ODIs and Tests in late 2006 and hit a double century-his first in tests in 2007 before retiring in 2008.
“Many previous Indian cricket teams tended to play with undue deference to their opponents, as if in accord with the Gandhian principle. Sourav Ganguly was the first Indian captain to try to change that approach. It worked to a degree in India, but usually hit a hurdle overseas,” Greg Chappell wrote in ‘Sydney Morning Herald’.
“Virat Kohli does not believe in passive resistance. He is a proponent of all-out aggression. His idea is to dominate the opposition. Kohli is the most Australian non-Australian cricketer of all time. He embodies the new India. As the premier player and captain of the world’s pre-eminent cricket power, he feels an abiding responsibility to the wider game.”
“The fact that Kohli champions Test cricket is a huge plus for a format under pressure for time and space in a crowded schedule,” Chappell said. “Test cricket has always been the pinnacle for him and it has driven him to be fitter and stronger to cope with its demands. It is why he drives his team in these areas because he wants India to be respected in the most demanding format.” he said.
Virat Kohli is a player who averages over 50 across formats and has been instrumental in all forms of cricket leading India with bat and as captain. As captain, India have won 33 Tests out of 55 Tests where he led.
Virat Kohli’s Influence Is Tremendous, And He Is Most Powerful Player In World Cricket :
Virat Kohli has scored 27 test and 43 ODI tons- totalling 70 which means he is the 3rd highest international century getter after legendary batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting. He went past predecessor MS Dhoni who had 27 test wins in 60 matches captained. His best of unbeaten 254 came against South Africa in 2019, and he will look to create new records in the 1st test match against Australia, which will be a day-night affair at Adelaide.
“Winning games for India is way more important to him and he sees it as his prime objective…he is aware of his status in the game and how he can impact others. His response to the Indian supporters who booed Steve Smith at The Oval during the 2019 World Cup was illuminating and heartening. The brash youngster had morphed into a senior statesman.”
Greg Chappell called Virat Kohli the most powerful and influential player in world cricket right now.
“Steve Smith and Kane Williamson vie with Kohli for the mantle of the best batsman of their era. Smith holds a handy lead statistically, but it would be a brave pundit who would split them.”
Kane Williamson averages 52.55 with 22 tons in 81 Tests while Steve Smith averages 62.84 in 73 tests.
“Kohli, though, is the most important one in the context of world cricket. Kohli is tremendously influential. He is also under the most pressure. It cannot be underestimated how hard it must be to go out to bat with the hopes, aspirations and mood of a billion people, riding on your every performance.”
Despite understanding the reason behind Virat Kohli’s departure after the conclusion of the first Test, Greg Chappell also called his absence from the remainder of the series a “shame” for the India-Australia contest.
“While entirely understandable, it is a shame for this contest that Kohli will go home for the birth of his first child after the Adelaide Test,” Chappell wrote.
“Kohli is an intensely driven man. He will want his team to reiterate their supremacy, and I expect something exceptional from him before he goes,” he said.
Virat Kohli will miss the last three Tests as he will head home after 1st test to attend the birth of 1st child.