Team India: The World No. 1

We saw many era of Indian Cricket, right from Lala Amarnath to Mak Pataudi, Kapil Dev - Sunil Gavaskar era to Sourav Ganguly - MS Dhoni era. Indian Team was "Best in the World" during MS Dhoni's captaincy but throughout his regime we never saw the performance like we witnessed in Virat Kohli era, statement may looks censorial but unfortunately its a fact. This Team got flexibility which proved in the entire season which had long series of 4 Tests or 5 Tests along with Limited Over Games. Start from Zimbabwe series at June last year "Men in Blue" was consistent, yes they fall short in some games but mostly they utilizes their home condition or their opponents of away games quite well. We saw many stars arise during a course of 1 year on different format, at the same time many establish players like Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan lost their spot followed by injury and poor run with the bat. 

Photo Courtesy: icc-cricket.com 

During this season we saw many surprising comebacks like Gautam Gambhir and even Parthiv Patel who returns to National side after 12 years !! These surprised comebacks are made only due to concern in opening department which is yet to overcome, India struggled and still struggling in opening spot and tats why Team saw most number of opening pair in the particular season. Opening spot are always known as a back bone for the Team but the concern not pinned the most because team got dependable batsman like Cheteshwar Pujara who proved to be the next Wall of Indian Team after scoring 2000+ runs in this season, even glamour boy Virat Kohli's bat sparkled this season with back to back 4 Double Centuries against Windies, New Zealand and against England twice. His bat may be was quite against Aussies but he was equally aggressive and led the side the way Aussies likes to play Cricket.

Input by BCCI as broadcast in STAR SPORTS

In Modern Era Cricket, Teams become flexible and selecting side as per the formats. Their commitments are increased too since Boards are now concentrating on revenue factor hence increasing more Home Matches despite of FTP schedules. When BCCI announced such a big home series most of the Cricket thinkers start doubting on how India will able to manage such odds which they never faced. Anil Kumble made a valid point after conclusion of 4th Test against Australia tat he always motivates team to focus in sessions rather then in a particular Test Match or in the Series as its all about a Mental game, India some how survived the 1st Test between England in Rajkot when visitors took 7 wickets in 50 overs and had England declared 10 more overs ago then we must have a different Result of the series. Same way when India had a healthy lead of 152 in 2nd Innings it looks like the results is possible but some how Aussies skip through with their brilliance from the bat against our Bowlers tired effort. Although India knows the taste of victory in flat turf when they beat England in Chennai Test but scenario was different in Ranchi Test.

Input by BCCI as broadcast in STAR SPORTS

During the start of modern day cricket we saw partnerships of Akram - Younis in 90s then Warne - McGrath era in 20s which used to be a sheer dominance from Pakistan and Australia respectively, against every Team of the World. Indian fans honor to witness the same dominance by Ashwin and Jadeja during this period of time. They equally shared the Spot of World No. 1 Test Bowler for a Week. After Kohli took over the Captaincy, India saw 19 Consecutive Test Wins and the succession of Test Win started from August 2015 against Sri Lanka. Indian Cricket was facing difficult time when India lost their last Test before the mammoth series of Victories before loosing to Australia, Board's Politics, IPL, Failure of Away series was one of the reason people was moving from the game they loved the most. I wrote very critical few words after that match "Does India looking on India's Performance ?" though during this entire time duration Team played in Home Conditions and won Series in Sri Lanka and West Indies respectively.

Input by BCCI as broadcast in STAR SPORTS

But few matches specially against England where we thought that results will end up as Draw, India pull up the victory in Last few Sessions of a Test Match and this is why I wrote about 4 Day Test Match when "Cricket Intellectuals" and then "ECB Chief" starts advocating about 4 Day Test Match, since Ashwin and Jadeja anchor India's victory at a 5th day when result looks to be impossible. Tats why for the first time in history 2 bowlers of same team at the same season was in the all time list of leading wicket ticker. Ashwin made a history on bowling more overs then anyone in the past as well which also proves the importance of Ashwin infront of his Captain and his Team. During this season India finds another diamond known as Umesh Yadav after Mohammad Shami was out most of the matches this season due to injury. Umesh Yadav played a important role to win the last Test against Australia shown his aggressive bowling, his mental strength and his fitness which allows him to play 12 Matches in this Home Season.

Input by BCCI as broadcast in STAR SPORTS

Current Indian Team in Test looks to be quite flexible with Batting and Wicket Keeping, at the same time it lacked seriously in Bowling department despite of some outstanding performance apart from Ashwin, Jadeja and Umesh Yadav. Test Cricket is not only scoring big but also a kind of a fightback like Chetshwar did against Australia in Ranchi when he scored a Double after consuming 525 Balls who also broke a previous record of Rahul Dravid which happens to be Pujara's idol and was "Wall" of Indian Cricket for many Years. KL Rahul, a big find of Indian Cricket despite of Shoulder injury was a part of some outstanding knocks after avoiding some big shots in later innings as precautionary basis though in many occasions he found throwing his wicket when he had a chance to score a big one.

When Opening was a concern for the team, Karun Nair created a small doubt in Team plan by scoring Triple against England in Chennai. This is probably a rarest incident in World Cricket when a Triple Centurion has been dropped from the very next Test Match against Bangladesh and Rahane feels the pressure during his innings of 80 odd runs because both Coach Kumble and Captain Kohli defended Rahane individually before the only Test and who knows the same Rahane will be ask to captaining the side in a "Decider". This team has broke many previous records and set a new ones, they got legacy to maintain and some revenge to take. Nair ended a drought in Test Triple from a Indian after Virender Sehwag, India beat England in India and maintain the record against Aussies. Now how they will do outside is still a question mark but they already made a point that its their fortress and its not easy to beat Team India in India and this Home season is a kind of a statement they got for the visiting Team from now onward.

Why Steve Smith lost respect after his DRS Saga !!

Yesterday Steve Smith did something which no Cricket Lover would have ever expected from him to do so, also tat incident happened in a Ground like Bengaluru where every Cricket match cheers by the fan with a great passion and love. For a moment at morning session majority of people thought that India will loose the match after Indian batsman falls in a pair but Bengaluru fans stick around there and fill more number of seats to watch the last 1 hour of the game, but at that session something unspeakable happened when Umesh Yadav's delivery didn't bounce much and Smith unable to play that and caught infront of the stump for LBW, Steve Smith the captain got the review and he could use the DRS within allowed 15 seconds and since as a batsman he's only allowed to talk with his partner the other side he got Peter Handscomb to have a rare view whether he's plumb or could survive but instead of fair discussion Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb start signalling towards the Dressing Room to either go with the review or not.

Whatever happened is not only against the rules but also against spirit of the game, playing attacking - aggressive cricket is a part of the game, although in the past we saw Cricketers to abuse each other and using filthy language to fire and shift the intensity to some other level was also against spirit and should be avoidable to save the image of the game but this particular incident is also similar to mock all the respect and dignity which can't be justify at all. Being a part of Cricket Australia which will soon to be the only Board to get highest revenue among "Big Three" can recommended "Decision Review System" as "Dressingroom Review System" but till the rules are not changed actions of Smith and entire Australian Team can't be equitable. Cricket fans deserves better, DRS is already a tricky thing but quite exciting as well its like surviving or loosing a lifeline in a moment. DRS also can't be use in a emotion also its not a tool to hide but creating a strategy against spirit can be compare with Ball-Tampering which is quite a nasty thing.

Why it hurt more because Steve Smith is not only the captain for Australia but soon he will lead IPL Franchisee "Pune Supergiants" team as well as a full time captain which also have MS Dhoni as Wicket-Keeper-Batsman who's a inspiration and one of the idol for Cricket World, in many example as a Captain for Team India or as a Batsman he proved that why he's one of the best. During close calls when Umpire, Bowler or Keeper not sure enough for the dismissal we saw Dhoni to start walking off acknowledging the wicket. I remember recent concluded Pune Test of India vs. Australia where Batsman Matthew Wade who is also a Wicket-Keeper-Batsman despite of caught behind wicket with a very fine nick he sneak from that decision indicated Umpire of Bat made a contact with Pad although he still dismissed with a similar fashion in the same over and forced him to walk off towards the pavilion but not everyone can be MS Dhoni in Modern Era Cricket where stakes are quite high. Steve Smith although accepted his mistake calling it as unfortunate but any how he lost the respect which he created so far infront of Cricket World, its very hard to believe and definitely all eyes will be on him whenever he gonna bat against India in this ongoing "Border - Gavaskar" Test Series.

Captain's Knock in a Fantastic Victories

Today we has witness 2 one of the fine knocks by the Captains of the respective teams Virat Kohli and Mohammad Hafeez. A special moment from the fans of Pakistan and India as both team has registered win against Ashes Rivals. How much important these victory was ? For Pakistan it was a must win game after a disappointed New Zealand Series and then white wash in Test Series, the only format they was promising with. Pakistan currently lying at 8th Rank in ODI rankings and interestingly Bangladesh is 1 position ahead of them which itself proves the overall performance of the side. Azhar Ali who's a better Test Player then ODI led the side in a loosing effort past Friday against Australia where he injured his hamstring which let Hafeez to lead the side and with his fighting spirit and all round performance he picked up the "Man Of the Match" award and won the game for his side. 

Similarly chasing down 350 runs, India was 4 down with both openers and heavyweights like Yuvraj and Dhoni gone cheaply at that point no one expected a win for India but only for a pray. That time Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav stood up with a outstanding partnership of 200 runs and pickup the victory for their team. After Captain Kohli keep the fighting spirit Kedar Jadhav joined him to support and this is how Team wins a crucial matches and cement their legacy. Was that partnership was planned before somewhere ? Absolutely not, it was a instinct decision on what to do. If Captain say hang on and don't fall then its a kind of a word you want to hear since for the moment you're the guy for the leader. Just day back when Gujarat picked their first Ranji Trophy and as usual Man in his Golden Time, Parthiv Patel anchored himself the one end and slowly - steadily he keeps his natural game on rather then being panic because the other finalist the 41th times Ranji Champions was nervous due to their legacy.

Another neighbour country Bangladesh start the 1st Test with a flyer by scoring nearly a 600 runs with Shakib's 217 and Captain Mushfiqur's 159 posted a partnership of 359 a National Record in Bangladesh Cricket, is a example that how important Captain's knock could be as he's the one who lead the side from the front by giving a best shot of his career. You can't point out reason and can't give a excuse in a defeat but to always keep fighting is a way to go. Leader only can motivate Team by setting up a example and not by telling what to do. Cricket is a most funny game because of that only any Batsman, any Bowler, any Fielder have to perform individually despite of being a Team Player of a Team Game. For any successful side there is always a Captain behind and whenever team falls Captain tend to take responsibility for the reason because everyone has to hear him, have to follow him and tats why he's the leader of the side. With these 4 recent examples its proved that how captain is important on or off the field because no matter team is lacking with some essentials or not only Captain knows how to win it from the odd or even.

[Archive Blog (17/08/15)] Australia’s last Ashes Test !!

From Thursday Australia going to play their last Ashes Test in Kennigton Oval. Although it’s a last test match of this series we will see many greats of Australia signing off from Red ball Cricket.

Michael Clarke and Chris Rogers already declared their retirements, Brad Haddin dropped after 1st Test his future is very dim and it would be a big surprise if CA calls him back, Aussies didn’t feel Shane Watson is fit enough for Test Cricket, Adam Voges already started his career too too late, no proper place for Shaun Marsh and who else left ? Possibly from bowlers ?

Ricky Ponting suggested some 8 – 9 players who was thinking for their retirement it means more then half of the Team will be signing off after Oval Test.

But Question arises why such a sudden desicion taken by everyone or they thought of it before the Ashes series ? I never saw such retirements in the Cricketing world after loosing test series infact selectors expect players to perform or they dropped them. Australia thinks differently atleast in Test Cricket and their strategy is very very different in Ashes, atleast when you hope Ryan Harris to come back into the Australian side and perform after a gap of year and so that too not properly rehabitate from the injury.

When you select a player which your captain is not confident on infact that player himself not wants to play then why pushing for the difficult task ? And ultimately Captain have to take the blame and sign off from the Cricket. Clarke may thought to left Cricket at the end of 2015 but forcefully do so because of poor performance from the camp and why not Australia didn’t won Ashes in England since 2005.

Huge round of pressure and expectations makes you to take a toughest decision of your career. Similar situation are with Aussie players they’re the current World Champions in ODi and last couple of series wins in Test excited them a lot but as any other visitors they too choked and fall short.

But we never saw such a huge number of retirements from any Team after loosing a Test Series, MS Dhoni took a retirement last year in between series against Australia after loosing a series but India lost many series from 2011 – 2014 under his Captaincy and England and Australia even swept India. But as per the fashion players won’t take retirement unexpectedly, we saw retirements in either player is in poor form and gonna drop or they feel they done with Test Cricket but all of sudden never or chances are less.

If you check the previous records Worldcup and Ashes gave most number of retirements because of obvious reason “High Stakes”.

Although Final Test is a Test Match of England but for Australia it is more then winning a Ashes or a Worldcup because final test is all about respect, dignity and winning a career, its no more for a Country now its now about winning something for personally, its about gifiting something for self. Hope they will fought like old Kangaroos in next 5 days.

[Archive Blog (21/08/2015)] Does BCCI looking at India’s Performance ?

After 22 Years, Virat Kohli and Co. is looking forward to conquer Sri Lanka but after 100 runs lead in 1st Innings they managed to loose. Sri Lanka may not win if India don’t loose although poor umpire decision worsen the thing. But we can’t take anything from Sri Lanka they won the impossible task.

India’s current situation is like that any Team can blow up them, after so many years India couldn’t developed a Team who can won or defend a series outside India. India’s successful Captain – Coach Sourav Ganguly – John Wright, MS Dhoni – Gary Kirtsen Team couldn’t do it although they gave some marvellous performances too.

MS Dhoni – Duncan Fletcher era gave us a worst scenario when we lost 8 test in row at England and Australia, Duncan and Dhoni received another chance for obvious reason but they failed to conquer England and Australia again, in between all this England beat India in India after 2 decades draught only notable series I remember is India defeated Australia in India via 4 – 0.

We have a lots of expectations with Kohli and Shastri, Kohli not only aggressive but attacking Captain too even we expected such with Ravi Shastri as Team Director but what’s the outcome ? Does anyone is accountable of it ? BCCI is busy with IPL cleaning, tries to close the window against Pakistan series, and fights with Subhash Chandra – Lalit Modi.

BCCI divided between two, 1 is N Shrinivasan and 2 is Jagmohan Dalmiya and both party is busy with politics but anyone caring of Cricket ? Time for serious lookout on the Team otherwise it would be too too late. BCCI should come out from internal politics and bring out a revolution in the team, time to give a chance to in-form players and show doors to constantly failure players.

BCCI should bring out some other strong plans they can’t let it go otherwise it would be too late for the Team to come out from this debacle. 

Why BCCI is still a Honeycomb for many ?

Last week and was a first official day of 2017 which bring no good news for Former BCCI President and Secretory as they was sacked by Honorable Supreme Court from their duty in Cricket after Lodha Committee's recommendation. Former BCCI President was not pleased and why would anyone ? BCCI is a honeycomb on which everyone wants a authority and suddenly no one wants a Law and Order on BCCI which is not a Govt. organization. Ownership in Cricket Administration is important because of first India is a Youth-Centric Country, second peoples love with Cricket. Peoples love with the game Cricket can be considered from a example of Warm-up Match between India A vs. England and why this match was so important ! because MS Dhoni was leading the side for the one last time, normally Warm - up matches doesn't telecast but this match was, also it was a kind of a crowd puller match with almost houseful crowd in Brabourne Stadium (Mumbai). People was so enthusiast and was passionate towards the game which registered the capacity crowd who witness Dhoni to lead the side for one last time, he didn't left the game but quit the captaincy only. Due to massive response only the business involve with Brand BCCI is flourishing and everyone wants a peace of pie which is quite tasty. 

BCCI involved with a huge numbers game and why not ! From Broadcaster to Sponsorship it opens the wing of opportunity to promote themselves during the game and make a money from it. We saw transition but never saw drought in talent and tats why peoples interest towards the game remain the same as everyone picking up their hero and watching them play. Because of Talents in Indian Cricket concept like IPL become a star-studded show and after 6 years if IPL's value gone double then its because of Indian players and not because of Overseas players. Lodha committee's one of the biggest issue was money involved in CLT20, after the cancellation of CLT20 brain behind the league STAR India paid $300mn to get rid of it and State Associations involving it was start cashing the amount, as per some Media report the amount was Rs. 60 crore and when Lodha committee freezes the account of BCCI, people behind the org. start questioning the series possibility of India vs. England 2016 Test Series, Justice Lodha afterwards explained the blocking of Bank Account although series did concluded quite successfully as well. There is a old say that "you will found yourself in difficult situation after having more then enough" and  tats applied with BCCI quite well. The proudest property of BCCI, IPL bogged down in corruption and people involved was the owner of IPL Franchisee and interestingly one of them was Son of Law of that time's BCCI President.

In the power of BCCI some people works behind the scene and some represents from outside, no matter whatever the ideology everyone having in real life when it comes to Cricket everyone take care of each others back. Today whosoever defending BCCI has interest behind and whosoever are opposing are the people who left behind the juncture and want to see their time to up, in the game of cricket you will see allies between BJP - Congress and BJP vs. BJP to fight or save the power of the dominate sport body of India and tats what its quite unfortunate for the game, after fixing and irregularities in IPL we saw many headlines, many faces came into the real picture, some known ones got exposed as well tat was quite a disastrous moment in the history of BCCI which still keeping the black spot in IPL which will never vanish no matter whatever solution gonna use on it. Before matter gone to court couple of friends became "temporary enemies" because they wanted to save the BCCI from some monitoring but they couldn't and after Supreme Court's sacking of BCCI Officials those temporary enemies became friends again.

After implementation of Lodha committee's recommendation we saw lots of Former Cricketers too forced to left the Association which indeed a proof that its not like Former Cricketers was never in Administration but yes they was the face of the proceedings. I always believe that selecting the new Chief of BCCI will be the most difficult task, because Cricketers who're not in Administration are either busy on their own Business (business of Sports Management etc.), Cricket Academies or Govt. Sector Job and the other those who're not in Administration but are in BCCI like as Commentator or Members of different kind of Committees never voiced up on what they feel but rather then what the Cricket Body unitedly believes in. Transforming BCCI shouldn't end with change in leadership but also to bring transparency in Selection Criteria, some players keeps on waiting for the opportunities and some got chances after chances. Keeping politics away from BCCI is keeping the game's respect Nationally and Internationally, giving everyone a fair chance. Top face fighting for the Cricket Administration was boasting India's Top Performance as a example of BCCI's Management but its not because of Administration but its because of the players who're coming from difficult circumstances to live their dreams.

After Supreme Court's decision one thing is proved that no one is bigger then law and order and everyone has to respect it. Second thing that this judgement will also gonna impact other Sports Authority in India which is also running with a similar concept in hand. Transparency is the biggest key of any successful organization, its not like that anything is licit if results are desired and as per the expectation. Any malpractice can't be equalize with success, infact that will fade the desire success as always. World Cricket knows the importance of Indian Cricket through Financially tats why BCCI's stand is always important in any given rules and regulation towards the International Cricket. Conflicts of Interest is harmful and its equalizer of corruption, in Indian Cricket after Match Fixing, IPL Controversy was one of the worst moment, infact series of allegations years after years was good enough to hamper the credibility of the league and Board who is organizing it. International Cricket may moved out from the entire controversy but tat incident also highlighted the ugliest drama to keep the power of the biggest Chair. Any non profit organisation if aims to gain then it shouldn't gets the treatment like "Trusts" nor can run from its deeds.

#ViratKohli is Virat "The Virat Run Scorer" Kohli

Virat Kohli has been declared "Man of the Match" for the 4th Test against England in Wankhede and why not ? Ashwin's Duck in the test match ease the work for peoples whosoever finalize the name for awards otherwise his 12 wickets and magic with his bat would have seal the trophy. But man at the moment is Virat Kohli who is keeps on cementing his legacy to be a great leader and batsman, who has worked on his flaws and set up the pace with his run machine. I always believes that a good leader is always lead with example. He don't need motivational words to proof himself but his performance, his fighting spirit on the field is enough to proof. In cricketing field we always discuss about partnerships and we have even praised many great partners who had given many memorable moments also setting up a plot for many victories but you won't found players to be comfortable batting with every player in the team now either you will say that they're not from same domestic team or not sound with each other but I feel that if one player who is capable to bat with no. 2 batsman to no. 11 is Virat Kohli only, no matter from which region they came, whichever team they represented. I think whenever Virat will be retire you will get to know about him from many players around the World and wouldn't need any Movie and Book to describe about his personality from dressing room to team's hotel and his spirit for the game. There was a incident happened when  Wankhede crowd even booed Virat 3 years ago in the eve of IPL, ofcourse IPL would made you crazy when Mumbai fans become Mumbai fans, Chennai fans become Chennai fans, Kolkata's become Kolkata and our heart beat dedicates to the team we supports and rest becomes enemies in that moment Virat may got disbelief and expressed his views even in Post Match Presentation to get more boos but this what Virat Kohli for you, he's not a fake masked person and blunt whether representing India Cricket or RCB he will be the same, with his batting and leadership skill he will win your heart and not by some kind words thats why even the same Wankhede fans cheered Virat during his double century innings. 

Pic taken from ZEENEWS.com Website

Indeed Virat is getting matured and even more responsible, players like his talent are quite rare hence only man who can dismiss Virat Kohli is Virat Kohli himself. It is always good to accept challenges and live into it. Challenges of new goals like for Virat, challenge was 100 in T20s he conquers that then 200 in Test he conquers that as well with back to back three 200s in three series, 1st came against West Indies in Antigue, 2nd came against New Zealand in Indore and 3rd came against England in Wankhede Mumbai. Next will be obviously 300 in Test and may be one day 200 in ODIs. In 2016 Virat made runs with a average of  50.33 in Test, 52.93 in ODIs and 57.13 in T20s became a first player to have 50+ average in all three format. Its not that Kohli did something magical with his stats though he missed to broke many records the amount of potential he has. He equalize the Tendulkar's 89 innings to score the 15th Test Century, Gavaskar took 77 innings to reach the milestone. Kohli though scored 3 doubles this year but Michael Clarke scored 4 doubles in 2012 named him the only batsman to do so in a calendar year. Virat matched many players and broke many records being a leader of a team who topped in the Test Cricket, he's a gifted player who has potential to score all around the ground as per the strategy of the spinner he found playing sweep shot as well against England. There are players who was not gifted but they achieve glories with their hard work and dedication, there are players who're gifted but with their hard work and dedication they becomes conqueror. Indeed its a era where the entire team is running in the circle of Virat Kohli. Virendar Sehwag in post match show after the conclusion of 4th Test even advocated the ODI and T20 captaincy for Virat, no doubt about it that he even deserves it and if he's hungry and willing to achieve every milestone then there is no better option then Kohli.

For one thing many people criticizes about Kohli and its his aggressive nature on the field which he never hides off the camera and on the camera, I think that is his quality to admit what he is, you can't expect everyone to be a monk. We have saw many players who remains silent but and they used to reply with their ability down the pitch but not being vocal. India got very few challenging players in the entire cricketing era who got the ability to challenge down the pitch, their aggression used to be flash from their eyes to their performance as well, yes sometimes they fails and when they fails they got criticism from their own fans because aggression without performance is too unacceptable then remain silent to hide failure. I remember that our cricketing fans used to complain about aggression in Indian players when India used to tour Australia, South Africa or England where we still failed to create some history and being remember with few stunning victories, one of the famous victory was in Natwest Trophy Finals after winning the Natwest Trophy every one remember our Captain Dada's very famous victory moment when he taken off his shirt and rotated it with full of authority in the Lord's Balcony which become more famous and viral, repeating the same will not be appreciated but surely that legacy needs to be carry forward as if Cricket is known as the religion in the Country after we overlooked to our Desi games then we should have the kingdom of our most loved game in every format with full of swagger. Yes but one thing we can't ignore and that over aggression cause the team as well, there is a time of every happy ending story to get over, in last 16 years which was most important for the modern era cricket in India due to transaction of BCCI to "Brand BCCI" in this timeline we have saw  many different captains and many stories, out of which Ganguly - Chappell era was one of the worst, India cricket was divided into two. Later we saw MS Dhoni to get involved with many such stories but good thing about it nor he said anything nor the opposite side people might be because of their own conflicts of Interest.

Aggression is good and digestible till we're succeeding in our given job. In the Virat's era we got the most flexible team where no one has a fixed spot, any unperformed player have to proof his presence if not then will be out from the side and next have to start performing with great extend. Normally injuries are the big factor of the side and this side has yet to proof the same form outside Indian Subcontinent. Virat's team yet to prove in South Africa, Australia and England which was never a easy outing at all. Though lots of positive came up with this team after Kumble joined the camp including DRS. One thing for sure battle royale in the dressing room starts when Captain not performs and blames other, team never stood with the blow but remain talked outside. Unless Captain and Coach are not proactive we never expect our Team to be ever in a winning side. When South Africa tour to India last year our Team beat the side in 3 days - 4 days Virat didn't perform through out the series because team never felt in the situation where you need Captain's knock. But when in 1st Rajkot Test of ongoing India vs. England series when India was quite near to get a defeat Captain Kohli from one end took the guard to safe the test match and at the end Alastair Cook initiate the hand shake to end the match in a draw. Even in the 4th Test in Wankhede had England caught Kohli on 68 it would have the different scenario though like a any run machine he didn't left the opportunity to blast the innings and make sure that India remains in top of the test match. Like many Cricketing fan everyone want this India's Cricketing era to remain dominate infront of the World for a long time and Captain Virat to keeps on shining to create new records and conquers the old one.

Virat Kohli Era: New Challenge in Test Cricket from India

Virat Kohli during Press Conference, Pic source: BCCI

"Test Cricket is real cricket and I never thought I would lead the side 1 day in this grandest format", Virat Kohli may looks hothead or play aggressive cricket but tats the series of words he made politely after he gave post match interview. In a 2 decades of modern time cricket, we saw 3 different captains of India - Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Sourav Ganguly teach us how to lead the side outside India and how to win it. MS Dhoni ensured we won in India by playing some serious cricket and Virat Kohli's era which won all the hearts after India thrashed South Africa out in a 4 match test series by 3-0.

Test Cricket may be the real cricket but need players too who wants to plays it and performs it by considering every goal as a target to achieve. Kohli started his cricket from limited over game later secured his Test Cricket after blistering performance in ODI Cricket. No one can deny the fact that he's a class act at 1 point was holed a record to complete fastest 5000 runs in ODI cricket. Kohli made his name and fame with some magical innings which gave India a famous wins. He may not be a Little Master or Master Baster but he's Kohli 'Name is Enough'. He's will and class let his spot fixed in a side and later named captain of Test side after India's most successful Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni decides to retire from Test Cricket. 

Its not that during Dhoni Era we didn't perform well, we even ended as no. 1 Test Side in the World but we didn't made a significant mark in England, Australia, South Africa and lost a series against England in Home as well. 2014 - 2015 India's Tour of Australia remembered as Dhoni's last ever test series after disappointed performance of India continued. Kohli who led the Adelaide Test of that series showed some resistant, his Century put India inch closer to win that test match although India lost but all eyes was glued on Kohli's intensity and aggression at the 1st Test. 

Kohli's record so far is 100% as full time test captain. Beating Sri Lanka at Sri Lanka was kind of memorable series for him and India. Bunch of youngsters which made their mark in the limited over cricket banged in a Test Arena. Ashwin, Rahane, Jadeja are his main weapons which helped him to pass his biggest exam beating South Africa at home, no. 1 Test Side who travels best never lost a Test Series outside home since last 9 years which itself is enough to proof "Proteas" Supremacy so far in modern era cricket. Although Test Series ended with lots of questions regarding pitch but fact and the matter is South Africa lost the match in the dressing room and not on the pitch, when they realise the havoc it was too late for them.

As of now Kohli and his boys made a great impression but they have to be ready to challenge Team outside home because Pitch and Conditions will not favours them they have to adjust their technique and outperform every difficulties. Captain always needs to step up to sail his team if he won't perform then how he gonna motivate his boys ? Captain's innings is must in a crucial situation, Captain also have to see the right combination for the Team - past record and fame won't work create winning combination, Management have to work hard of it. Currently India is no. 2 side of the world have a potential to become no. 1 side too for very long time but only if Team performs outside and not in a "Poor" pitches.