Virat Kohli: The leader India always needed

It was an Indian summer, but the sun shone over the subcontinent as if spring had come early when Australia came visiting in 2001. But it was dark days for Indian cricket after it had slipped into a decade of mediocrity before Sourav Ganguly took over the reins. All the doubts were smashed to bits on March 15, 2001 when the country witnessed an epic turnaround at the Eden Gardens. From inevitable defeat, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid gave every Indian fan enough to stand up and applaud. But Ganguly’s decision to declare and set Australia a target of 384 surprised many. Few expected the team to win and now when a draw was possible, why declare the innings? It was a good surface to bat on, and the mighty Aussies who were on a 17-Test winning streak were capable of doing anything. But India did not show any nerves as they ran through the star-studded Aussie batting line-up.

Then came the Australian summer of 2011, and the Aussies handed India another 4-0 whitewash. It clearly smacked of a lost hunger, the urge to kill off the match before things headed towards a dull draw. This was perfectly depicted during the third Test of West Indies tour in 2011, when India were set a target of 180 to chase down in 47 overs on what seemed liked a decent wicket. India were already 94/3 just before tea, and with 15 overs remaining, Dhoni agreed for a draw rather than going for the win.

He also led India to their first Test series win outside in his first series as the captain beating Sri Lanka 2-1 in 2015. His captaincy at home was what was expected for an Indian captain - India trounced South Africa 3-0. It was an indication of things to come as India came back after losing the first Test to win the series against the Lankans. In Anil Kumble, the Delhi-born batsman has found a coach and a tactician who shares his aggression, and it has shown during the recently concluded series in West Indies. 

Kohli's decision to declare the innings on the final day of the third Test after India’s lead extended beyond 300 clearly shows that his captaincy is always more about the result. Kohli made a statement about the approach this Indian side will have in the years to come by declaring the second innings in the third Test against West Indies. At 217/7, India could have gone on to set the target above 400 runs, but Kohli kept looking at the number of overs left in the day's play which shows how well he trusts his bowlers. Mohammed Shami and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar obliged and ran through the West Indies batting line-up handing India their second Test series victory on West Indian soil. The skipper's plans in the Test also served as a fitting reply to the statements made by the critics after the second Test draw in the series and brought back memories of Ganguly’s captaincy.

This approach of playing risky cricket, though not always successful, will ensure we win more than we lose. More importantly, Test cricket’s likely No. 1 team needs to be its greatest ambassador - aggressive cricket that reminds you of the Invincible Aussies of the last decade. In fact, the baton has not passed over from that team and remains unclaimed. This Indian team has all the qualities needed to take over that mantle - an aggressive captain, a capable pace battery, world-class spinners, and an all-rounder.

The victory in West Indies could be the start of another era when Indians are feared abroad and the resounding first Test win against New Zealand could send out a statement for the teams that are about to visit India next. It’s a change in the mental make-up that was necessary, and Kumble’s arrival appears to have catalyzed the spark that Kohli already possessed. Better times for Test cricket await us.