Virat Kohli’s announcement as captain following MS Dhoni’s stepping down came as a huge jolt for the country, and everyone knew that Kohli had huge shoes to fill. But he has done quite well so far, and the home record has been very good. Here are 7 things that have changed since his appointment:
1. A new generation of cricketers.
Virat Kohli’s appointment was the culmination of a long standing project by the BCCI to field younger cricketers in the team. Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya are a few who have profited from this movement forward.
2. A calmer Virat Kohli.
Virat Kohli has taken captaincy in the right stride, and is looking to have matured in the last few years. He looks a more complete leader, and is seeming to be a suitable successor to MS Dhoni.
3. An attacking Indian team.
However great MS Dhoni was as a captain, towards the end of his tenure, he began to look a little defensive, and seemed like he would rather save a game than go all out and try to win it. Virat Kohli seems to be a captain with no qualms and will go all out all the time to win.
4. More wins in the Test arena.
Virat Kohli has always seemed to be the kind who would go 100% for a victory rather than draw the game having not tried. It may lead to a couple of failures, but Kohli’s approach seems to be the most positive one for the Indian team.
5. One Captain. One leader.
Prior to Kohli’s appointment as captain of the shorter formats of the game, there may have been a slight sense of division in the dressing room, seeing as how there were 2 leaders for relatively the same group of players. Kohli becoming captain unifies the team and brings the team together.
6. A more relaxed MS Dhoni.
MS Dhoni has looked a more relaxed man since Kohli’s appointment as skipper, and seems to have a lot more time to focus on his batting and keeping skills. He can once again become the most destructive finisher in the world.
7. The growth of Hardik Pandya.
Hardik Pandya was brought into the team towards the end of MSD’s reign as captain, and Kohli has continued to groom him, and turn him into one of india’s and world cricket’s premier all-rounders.
By Aravind Harish
