India’s star batter of all time and a former Test captain, Virat Kohli, should have advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his plan to quit the Test game some weeks before the eagerly anticipated five-Test series in England.
Kohli unlikely to play for England tour
.A source close to BCCI reports that Kohli signaled his decision a few days ago, after Rohit Sharma retired from the longest form game. As two of India’s senior-most players exit Test cricket almost simultaneously, the team is about to undergo a significant transition even as it prepares to visit England. The BCCI asked Kohli for second thoughts on his decision, but the final word is expected at the team selection meeting. For now, he continues to be unlikely to become available for the England series.
A Void of Experience
If Kohli persists in his decision, India will be led to England by a relatively inexperienced Test side. The leadership situation is also in question. Although Jasprit Bumrah has been a captain in the past, doubts over his fitness still exist. The emerging strong contender for the captaincy is young batter Shubman Gill, who has produced a consistent performance throughout the tournament and has all the potential to be a great creator.
Plays off Kohli’s Glorious Test
Career in NumbersThis meant Kohli appeared on the Test scene in 2011 and has since been one of the modern greats of the format.1. In 123 Test matches he has scored: 9,230 runs Average: 46.85 30 centuries 31 half-centuries It ranks him fourth on India’s all-time leading run scorers list in Test cricket with Sachin Tendulkar ahead of him followed by Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar respectively.
Kohli in England
An account of grit and coming back. Kohli’s initial travails in England, particularly from the 2014 tour, are well documented. But he returned in 2018 with sheer determination, rectifying his technical errors and quieting hangers-on. Overall, he has scored 1,096 runs in 17 Tests in England, with an Average of 33.21, 2 centuries and five half-centuries.
Kohli’s Impact as Test Captain
Acquiring the pole position from MS Dhoni in 2014, Kohli brought two Indian flags into play in 68 Test matches, winning 40 of them, a record by an Indian captain. His 58.82% win percentage is the best for an Indian skipper to have led in five or more Tests. During his reign, India broke several new records including a record historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in Australia (2018-’19), which helped to embed his fame as one of the greatest Test captains to have played for India. If the Kohli decision comes to fruition, it will mean the end of the golden age of Indian Test Cricket. The BCCI must now manage its leadership change and rebuild a Test team around the next generation of cricketers. Should Kohli change his mind and play the England series?
