Virender Sehwag has backed Virat Kohli to continue as captain of the Indian ODI and Test teams. Virat Kohli recently gave up the T20 captaincy altogether across international and franchise cricket to manage his workload.
In Kohli’s final T20I assignment as a captain, India failed to make it to the 2021 T20 World Cup semi-finals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Virender Sehwag: Leaving Or Not Leaving Captaincy In ODIs And Tests Is Virat Kohli’s Personal Decision
Virender Sehwag believes Team India is playing good cricket under Virat Kohli’s leadership and urged the 33-year-old not to relinquish the captaincy of the other two formats.
While answering a question on his Facebook show, Virender Sehwag said: “This is Virat’s decision but I don’t think he should leave the rest two format’s captaincy. If he wants to play just as a player, it is his decision.
“I feel under his captaincy, India is playing good and his record as a captain is brilliant. He is a good player, an aggressive captain and leads from the front. I reiterate that leaving or not leaving captaincy in ODIs and Tests should be his personal decision.”
Despite Team India playing aggressive cricket, they have failed to win an ICC tournament under Virat Kohli’s captaincy. So while he won’t lead India to a T20 World Cup anymore, the 2023 ODI World Cup and World Test Championship seem to be his final hopes.
One of India’s most successful captains, Virat Kohli, led India in 95 ODIs, and with 65 wins and 27 defeats. In 50 T20Is so far, where he has been the captain, India has won 29 times while losing 16 times.
Virender Sehwag: It’s Been A Long Time India Hasn’t Won Any Major ICC Tournament Since 2013 Champions Trophy
Team India’s wait for an ICC trophy was extended with their elimination from the 2021 T20 World Cup. The Men In Blue last won silverware in 2013, the ICC Champions Trophy. Virender Sehwag noted how there is a desperate need for India to win a major trophy despite them dominating bilateral contests on a consistent basis.
“I know we should support the team during bad times but it’s been a long time we haven’t won any major ICC tournament. India should definitely introspect on it. Winning bilateral series is one thing but people only remember you if you win world tournaments consistently.”
There are three major ICC events on the horizon across all formats. Australia will host the 2022 T20 World Cup. India has had a good start to the second cycle of the World Test Championship by being ahead by 2-1 against England in 4 completed Tests. They will also play host to the 2023 ICC World Cup.
After India’s exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup, captain Virat Kohli took to social media to thank fans for their support and also revealed that the side is “disappointed” with their recent displays. India defeated Namibia on Monday in their last Super 12 fixture in Dubai but failed to make it to the semi-finals following New Zealand’s win against Afghanistan on Sunday.