Virat Kohli should have continued as India captain?

Virat Kohli, renowned for his exceptional batting prowess, has also been a focal point of discussion regarding his captaincy of the Indian cricket team. While Kohli's leadership elevated Indian Test cricket to new heights, including a historic series win in Australia and the iconic Lord’s Test victory against England in 2021, his tenure in ICC knockout matches fell short of expectations. Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has recently suggested that Kohli could have continued his role as Test captain. Kohli was controversially removed from his captaincy role in 2022, following his decision to step down from T20I leadership in September 2021. The decision to strip him of the captaincy came amid criticism of the team’s performance in ICC tournaments, where they struggled to progress past the knockout stages.

Kohli had publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of clear communication from the team management regarding the change in leadership. This lack of clarity and the abrupt nature of the decision contributed to the controversy surrounding his removal. Despite these issues, Kohli’s tenure as captain was marked by significant achievements and his strong leadership on the field. His impact on Indian cricket remains profound, with his contributions as both a batsman and captain continuing to be a subject of great interest and debate among fans and experts alike.

“I personally feel that he (Kohli) should have continued slightly for longer as a Test captain. He probably captained India in 65 (sic. 68) Test matches, and one of the things I feel is that he could have probably continued as a Test captain for a longer period,” former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar said during a recent interview. 

Virat Kohli remains India’s most successful Test captain, having led the team in 68 Test matches with a notable record of 40 wins and a winning percentage of 58.82. His tenure was highlighted by significant achievements, including guiding India to their first-ever Test series victory in Australia during the 2018 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli’s emphasis on developing a formidable bowling attack tailored to exploit overseas conditions was pivotal in these successes. Under his leadership, India also reached the finals of the World Test Championship in 2021, further cementing his legacy as a transformative captain.

In 2022, Sourav Ganguly, who was then the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), revealed that the board had requested Kohli to retain his role as T20I captain. Ganguly suggested that Kohli’s refusal to continue as T20I captain led to the decision to have different captains for white-ball formats, a situation the selectors were reportedly unwilling to accept.

However, Kohli countered these claims, offering his perspective on the matter. He contested the notion that he was requested to continue in the T20I role and provided his own account of the events. This exchange of views highlights the ongoing discussions and differing narratives surrounding Kohli’s captaincy and the decisions made during his tenure.

“Whatever was said about the communication that happened about the decision that was made was inaccurate. When I decided to leave T20 captaincy, I approached BCCI first. I told them my reasons and point of view. I was not told I shouldn't step down as T20 captain. It was received very nicely. There was no offence or hesitation. It was deemed as a progressive step in the right direction,” former India captain Virat Kohli had said previously.