INDIA: In a surprising revelation, former English cricket captain Eoin Morgan has expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli’s captaincy in Test cricket. Following India’s resounding defeat in the recently-concluded World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, Morgan voiced his thoughts on the matter, highlighting the significance of Kohli’s absence as the Test team’s leader.
The WTC final, held at the iconic Oval, saw India suffer a 209-run defeat at the hands of a formidable Australian side. While Rohit Sharma’s captaincy was questioned following the team’s disappointing performance, many experts and fans opined that reinstating Virat Kohli as the captain for the upcoming WTC cycle would be a prudent move.
Morgan, known for his astute leadership in limited-overs cricket, acknowledged the impact of Kohli’s absence as the Test captain, terming it a loss for the format.
Speaking to the media, he said, “Test cricket has lost Virat Kohli as captain. Virat always spoke passionately about his love for the format, and his absence as a captain is palpable.”
The English cricketer’s admiration for Kohli is well-known, and his acknowledgement of Kohli’s contributions to Test cricket only solidifies the Indian captain’s stature as one of the game’s leading figures. Kohli’s determination, tactical acumen, and ability to rally his troops have garnered praise from players and experts worldwide.
However, it is important to note that Kohli’s return as the Test captain appears highly unlikely at the moment. The decision lies in the hands of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and it remains to be seen if they can persuade Kohli to resume leadership duties in the longest format of the game.
Kohli’s captaincy record in Tests is impressive, having led India in 57 matches, winning 33 of them and losing 14. He holds the distinction of being India’s most successful Test captain in terms of the number of wins achieved under his leadership.
During the WTC final, both India and Australia fought fiercely on the final day. All hopes were pinned on Kohli and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane to steer India to victory.
Unfortunately, Kohli’s dismissal at the hands of Scott Boland, coupled with a remarkable catch by Steve Smith in the slip cordon during the morning session, dealt a severe blow to India’s aspirations. Kohli fell agonizingly short of his half-century, perishing for 49 while attempting an expansive cover drive.
With the conclusion of the WTC final, Kohli’s aggregate runs against Australia now stand at an impressive 2042. He achieved the milestone of 2000 runs against Australia during the same Test match.
While Eoin Morgan’s admiration for Virat Kohli’s Test captaincy is noteworthy, it remains to be seen how India’s cricketing hierarchy will shape the future leadership of the Test team. As fans and pundits eagerly await the next phase of the WTC, one thing is certain; Virat Kohli’s impact as a leader and batsman will continue to reverberate throughout the world of cricket.
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