The demand made by Indian Cricket upon Virat Kohli in the last few years was to lead India to victory in every format and score a hundred and be the match-winner in every game (on most occasions by building the innings and remaining unbeaten till India cross the line).
Considering the way Cricket is played and viewed in India, it was an unfair demand. Even the critics of his captaincy would agree with his claim of giving 120% of him to meet that demand.
If they picked the best 11 for the conditions every time, India would have won more overseas tests in the last few years. So I would argue, Virat, the test captain, is an underachiever despite the stunning stats. Virat, the captain, had better a version in the longest format of the game than in shorter formats.
Over the past few years, Virat has been refined visibly as a person and sportsman. Dealing with the Indian crowd which bullied Steve Smith, who returned from the ban and the public support of Mohammed Shami were gestures of a respectable leader who could make values into instincts and reflexes than of a “spoilt, brat superstar” he once was.
Being aware and engaged throughout the 5 days of a test match was a trait that his predecessor lacked and his successor would love to possess. He was the captain of fast bowlers in many ways and the common sense to chase 20 wickets did help India to be a better team in test cricket than it used to be.
Still, he had flaws as captain in many ways. He could have been a better resource manager. India surprisingly didn’t pick the best team on important occasions. The bond he shared with some co-players seems to be a point of debate at times. Some key players could have been accepted as they were then pushing them to play the Virat’s brand of Cricket.
But his captaincy has instilled positive traits in Indian Cricket over the course of time. He, as a captain, had a positive impact on the way the game is played.
With Ajinkya Rahane being in the lowest form of his life, Virat Kohli could have been a safer bet to lead India in tests. His recent struggle with the bat and his alleged conflicts inside might have added up as cumulative reasons for taking the call.
By stepping down from leading in tests, the era of Virat Kohli, the Indian Captain, is over. When a cricket enthusiast thinks of a champion team, it is unwise to assume that team would be led by Virat Kohli unless it is picked by his hardcore fan. But the first name anyone would like to have in that team would be Virat Kohli.
For a long time, Virat Kohli was a wonderboy. He was chasing greatness. He embodied consistency and intensity. But now, he is trapped by bowlers, questioned by critics and abused by short-tempered fans. Limitation in his range of shots is said to be exposed.
He is 33. Many who predicted him to surpass the greatest of records have given up hope. The required rate seems to have mounted up. He lacks solid support in the middle order.
But when Virat Kohli walks in with the bat that is unburdened of captaincy and resumes his chase to greatness, it doesn’t matter how unlikely it is to reach the target. It doesn’t matter what the world thinks. It doesn’t matter what the odds are. Because when Virat Kohli walks in with the bat, nothing really matters, except the chase.