In the world of cricket, where fortunes can change with every match, the tale of a player’s rise to fame and subsequent fall into obscurity is both poignant and all too common.
Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated cricket leaders, several players made their international debuts, filled with promise and potential.
However, not all managed to sustain the initial spark, fading away from the national team before they could cement their legacy.
Here, we delve into the stories of five such players: Naman Ojha, Karun Nair, Jayant Yadav, and Prithvi Shaw, whose careers under Kohli’s watch briefly shone before dimming out.
Naman Ojha
Naman Ojha, known for his prowess behind the stumps and his ability to score quick runs, made his Test debut under Virat Kohli’s captaincy in 2015.
His debut was against Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi, where he managed to score 56 runs. However, Ojha’s international career was short-lived.
Despite his talent and a few notable performances in domestic cricket, the competition was fierce, with MS Dhoni still holding the fort and Rishabh Pant emerging on the horizon.
Ojha’s international journey ended with just that one Test match, a stark reminder of how the bright lights of international cricket can sometimes blind only momentarily before fading away.
Karun Nair
Karun Nair’s story is perhaps one of the most intriguing among this group.
His Test debut came in 2016, and he made headlines by scoring a triple century against England in Chennai, making him only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to achieve this feat.
This was under Kohli’s captaincy, and it seemed like the beginning of a stellar career.
Nair played a total of six Test matches for India between 2016 and 2017, but after his initial success, his performances fluctuated.
Once dropped from the team, he never managed to make a comeback, leaving fans and cricket analysts pondering what could have been if consistency had matched his flair.
Jayant Yadav
Jayant Yadav stepped onto the international scene with promise as both a bowler and a batsman.
His debut came in 2016 during a Test series against England, where he looked like a balanced all-rounder.
Yadav played six Tests under Kohli’s leadership, contributing significantly with both bat and ball.
However, his career took an unexpected turn when injuries and competition from other all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin pushed him out of the spotlight.
Once he faded from the national team, attempts to return were futile, illustrating how cricket’s opportunities can be as fleeting as they are golden.
Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw’s entry into international cricket was nothing short of spectacular.
He made his Test debut against West Indies in 2018, scoring a century off just 99 balls, becoming the youngest Indian to score a Test hundred on debut.
This explosive start under Kohli’s captaincy suggested a bright future.
However, Shaw’s journey post-debut was turbulent. Issues with fitness, form, and discipline led to his exclusion from the team.
Despite occasional domestic heroics, his return to the national side has been elusive, shocking fans who remember his debut with awe.
His story serves as a cautionary tale of potential unfulfilled, highlighting the pressures and pitfalls awaiting young cricketers.
The Virat Kohli Factor and the End of an Era
Virat Kohli’s captaincy was marked by aggressive cricket and a push for players to excel.
His approach brought out the best in many, but it also meant that those who couldn’t keep up with the pace or adapt to the high standards were quickly sidelined.
Kohli stepped down from his Test captaincy on January 15, 2022, marking the end of an era that saw both the making and breaking of cricket careers.
Under his watch, the team saw significant achievements, but the narrative of these players who debuted with promise only to fade away reflects the harsh reality of international cricket where only the resilient thrive.
The stories of Naman Ojha, Karun Nair, Jayant Yadav, and Prithvi Shaw under Virat Kohli’s captaincy are emblematic of the unpredictable nature of cricket.
They remind us that while debuts can be the start of legendary careers, for some, they might just be a fleeting moment of glory in an otherwise challenging journey.
These narratives are not just about the players but also about the sport itself, where every match can be a turning point, and every performance is under scrutiny, shaping and sometimes reshaping destinies.
