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On Monday, Steve Smith was announced as Australia’s 45th Test skipper, replacing the injured Michael Clarke and leapfrogging vice-captain Brad Haddin into the most prestigious position in Australian sport.
Considering Haddin’s experience, his role as deputy, and the way he led his troops to a memorable victory on Saturday while standing in for Clarke, the decision to appoint the relatively inexperienced Smith is a slight gamble, although not a totally unexpected one.
Around the same time, there were reports that injured Indian captain MS Dhoni was set to return for the Second Test in Brisbane, and take over the reins from Virat Kohli.
Though Dhoni is a well-respected member of the Indian cricket fraternity, and an experienced keeper-batsman, I believe India should take a leaf out of Australia’s book, and ‘roll the dice’ by retaining Kohli as captain.
In Adelaide, Kohli displayed all the qualities I like to see in a captain. He led from the front and played aggressive cricket. He was only too happy to confront the Australian players when he felt it was warranted. He was – for the most part – proactive with his decision-making in the field. He also appeared extremely supportive of his teammates throughout the match.
Additionally, the added responsibility brought out the best in his batting, as evidenced by his outstanding twin hundreds.
Most importantly, he captained to win at all times.
The First Test will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time, and credit needs to go to both teams. Not just for the displays of individual talent, but for their respective captains’ intent. Australia declared aggressively in both innings, and India went for the win on the final day, despite being set a challenging 364 run chase.
I give plenty of credit to Kohli for the unbelievable Test we just witnessed. His strokeplay was exquisite. He never shied away from a fight, even if you think he struggled to contain his emotions at times. His captaincy was positive and inspirational, with winning the only thing on his mind. All in all, he was a credit to his country, and to Test cricket in general.
Despite many stating that Dhoni – if put in the same position – would have played for the draw on Saturday, we actually have no real idea if that would have been the case. It’s pure speculation to state that he would or wouldn’t have gone for the win.
What is not up for dispute is Dhoni’s age of 33.
By no means is that ancient, or an age that suggests retirement is imminent. Yet it is an old enough age to give a clear indication of the way one approaches his cricket. A leopard doesn’t change its spots, particularly after eight years of captaincy, and because of that, perhaps it’s time for a change in Indian cricket.
Though I have never been enamored with Dhoni’s captaincy, it’s difficulty to argue with the results. Under Dhoni, India have achieved the apex in all three formats: the number one Test ranking in 2009, the 50-over World Cup in 2011, and the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007.
However, all good things must come to and end, and the time seems right for the Indian succession plan to be implemented. The BCCI have the opportunity to make it a seamless one without major distraction or drama; a luxury not always afforded during leadership changes. Dhoni can play on, and provide strong support, guidance and experience for Kohli to lean on as India move into the next phase for their Test team.
Kohli is the future, and that future should be now.
Meanwhile, Smith has been earmarked for the Australian Test captaincy for some time, yet the presence of Clarke – and to a lesser extent, Haddin – ensured that, while Smith’s time was predicted to come, it wasn’t planned to be any time soon.
Yet Clarke’s dodgy hamstrings and back, and Haddin’s advanced age and lack of runs, both combined to see Smith ascend to leader of the baggy greens a little earlier than scheduled.
At 25 years of age, he’s Australia’s third youngest captain ever. However, it’s the right choice.
Smith has cemented his spot in the top six over the last 12 months, via sheer weight of runs. In 2014, he has scored 779 Test runs at 77.90 across seven Tests, including three centuries and four half centuries. His career average has now been raised to 46.02, with 1749 runs in 23 Tests.
He’s tightened up his technique without losing his attacking flair, and the use of his feet with positive intent is truly something to behold and admire. He has become a class batsman who more than belongs at Test level.
He’s come a long way from the kid I once dubbed ‘Starlight’; a cruel reference to a joke that he must have been granted a wish of playing for Australia, rather than actually earning it on merit. Such was the disdain I had for his batting and bowling, though the egg is firmly on my face now.
He’s also shown himself to be an astute and intelligent captain during stints with NSW and the Sydney Sixes. Though clearly Test cricket is a whole different kettle of fish, the hallmarks of a great captain have already been on show: he’s aggressive, proactive and creative.
It’s a bold, but wise, choice by the Australian selectors, and I commend them for it.
One suspects that should their Indian counterparts fail to take their lead, and instead revert to Dhoni over Kohli, it could well be a blessing in disguise for Australia, and other opponents.