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Star India fast bowler has identified Virat Kohli as the team’s true leader, even though Rohit Sharma holds the official captaincy for Team India. Kohli relinquished his captaincy in January 2022 following India’s Test series defeat to South Africa.
Kohli’s final T20I as captain took place during the 2021 T20 World Cup against Namibia. India was eliminated in the Super 12 stage after losses to Pakistan and New Zealand, leading Kohli to hand over the white-ball captaincy to Rohit Sharma.
In an interview with The Indian Express, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah praised Kohli for his exceptional leadership skills, asserting that the 35-year-old legendary batsman remains the true captain of the team.
“Virat (Kohli) is different. Virat is energy-driven. You know, he is quite passionate. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He pushed us in terms of fitness. He changed the narrative that way,” Bumrah stated.
“Even when now Virat is not the captain, he is still the leader,” the 30-year-old quick added.
Virat Kohli enjoyed a stellar record as India’s captain across all formats. He captained the team in 213 international matches, securing 135 victories and enduring 60 defeats, which translates to a win percentage of 63.38.
Kohli guided India to the semi-finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup, where the team was knocked out by New Zealand. He also steered India to the top of the ICC Test rankings on multiple occasions. Under his leadership, India reached the final of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) in 2021, though they were defeated by New Zealand.
Virat Kohli propelled India to dominance in Test cricket.
Kohli’s intense aggression transformed India into a formidable force in overseas conditions, particularly in Test cricket. Historically, India struggled in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries due to limited resources. However, Kohli’s relentless drive to win on foreign soil and his success against teams like South Africa, Australia, and England revolutionized India’s approach and mindset.
Under his leadership, India achieved a notable victory by defeating Australia 2-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on their home turf. Kohli’s focus on developing a strong pace attack significantly enhanced India’s performance abroad.
Even after stepping down from the captaincy, Kohli remains highly involved in the game. His on-field passion and energetic presence continue to inspire his teammates. He remains a key player with the bat, as demonstrated by his crucial role in the T20 World Cup 2024 final held last month.
Kohli is set to feature in the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, following his retirement from T20 internationals after India’s T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for this tour but is expected to return for the Test series against Bangladesh.
