One of the many roles any captain has to take on is that of diplomat. As captain of a Test nation like India, this role assumes huge importance when playing in a series against an old foe like England.
As is the case these days, Virat Kohli conducted interviews straight after the fourth Test victory. Here’s a sample of his comments.
“We’ve shown time and time again that we are a top side.”
“That’s because of the belief and the passion that we have in this group. A lot of people after Leeds really stood up and said, ‘will India be able to come back?’”
“This win is as special as Lord’s, if not more.”
“This group of players, they just want to win, to win badly and find ways to win. That’s a real hallmark of our side. This group of players has done a lot of firsts, and that can’t be ignored.
“If you focus on stats and numbers and personal performances, you cannot do things like this. If you focus on team goals and wanting to win at any cost, then you get special victories like this.”
Virat Kohli’s captaincy is characterised by his passion, his desire to win and his love of his team. He’s made a number of sweeping statements in his excitement after the win at The Oval, so let’s see how much of these words are joyful rhetoric and how many are genuinely factual.
To begin, let’s do as Virat suggests and not focus on stats, numbers and personal performances, just yet.
(Photo by Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images)
India suffered some injury problems and three players, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar and fast bowler Avesh Khan, have not been able to play any part in this series.
England too have had their injury concerns. Stuart Broad has missed all but the first Test, Ollie Pope has only now come back into the team, while the big outs have been Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes.
Of India’s injured players, it’s arguable whether any would have played a Test to date. Gill may have opened with Rohit Sharma, but obviously KL Rahul would have provided stiff competition.
In the pecking order of Indian spinners, Ravi Ashwin would certainly be ahead of Sundar, while Khan, as a debutant, would not have been likely be a chance to play unless there were a lot of injuries.
On the England side however, Pope, Broad, Stokes and Archer would have been among the first picked. So, in reality, a near full-strength Indian team has drawn the first Test, won the second, lost the third and won the fourth against an England team missing 37 per cent of its best players.
Kohli also mentioned the defeat at Headingley, but couched his comments in such a way that what was a humiliating first innings with the bat and a subsequent heavy loss, is now a positive. In pollie-speak, this is classic deflection.
He does more deflecting when he talks about focusing on team goals and results.
In one way, he’s completely correct when he talks about “team goals” and “(the team) wanting to win at all costs”.
The Indian Test team in recent times have found a way to get wins, when a defeat or draw seemed far more likely. I’m also presuming the Adelaide Test and the loss inflicted by New Zealand in the World Test Championship final has been erased from the team psyche!
Again, though, this deflects from a hard reality. The batting line-up has shown significant frailties in the past 12 months, with only one or two batsmen showing any sort of good, consistent form.
Kohli has had his own struggles with the bat (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Those members of the team who have been the key players in getting results, have largely been the bowlers, with both ball and bat.
In this Test, India were 7 for 127 in the first innings and only made a competitive total thanks to the bowlers. In their other win at Lord’s, they were 7 for 194 in the second innings and only made a defendable total thanks to the bowlers. In the Test match India lost, it’s no coincidence the bowlers didn’t make runs.
Of the batsmen, only Rohit and Rahul have enhanced their averages and reputations. Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Kohli’s numbers are well down, as are Pant’s, though all received a healthy boost from batting on a very flat track at The Oval.
If the team has to rely so heavily on its bowlers to both take wickets and make runs, does that make this a “top team”?
I have a lot of admiration for Virat Kohli, the emotional leader, who clearly loves winning and loves his team doing well, individually and collectively.
I wonder though about Virat Kohli, the dispassionate leader, who must realise both he and a few of his fellow batsmen are underperforming.
That the “team efforts” he’s referring to, are really a few outstanding efforts from only a handful of players in his team.
That England are down on troops and quality players at that.
Granted, he and the Indian team can only beat the English XI that takes the field, but I’d have thought Indian fans should have expected more, given the differences in personnel. I’d also suggest that India might be behind in this series of all players from both squads were fit.
Just like any politician, words can only go so far and, yes, it was a great win in London, but the fans who support India will want those words backed up with actions. This means India either have to win at Old Trafford, or have the better end of a draw.
If not, just like a politician, Kohli’s recent words might come back to bite him.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I'm hoping so bad that England lose.
Ash
Guest
U must be hoping so bad that India loose LOL
Ash
Guest
Wow!! I thought King Kohli was trolling barmy army and here you are :laughing: Sorry but Gill and Shaw has NOT BEEN found out yet, Yes Shaw has been BUT NOT GILL....Dont know if u are basing ur judgement from WTC final :D
mkr
Guest
indian domestic batters are better in playing spin than the current in the team ..so batting will not be a issue we have bench to cover it ..also we have quality spinning reserves ..in turning tracks no need of pacers too similar to wtc finale where spinners were redundant ..
mkr
Guest
Come to India get Turners or flat track..that is norm ..I personally like Turners rather than flat tracks as team batting first has massive advantage with it ..This reasoning/whining would have served better if this series was in India but for god's sake a team is getting beaten in their home conditions which happens once in a decade in this age and you just whine like a pessimist ..And kohli never said his team is history's best in his interview ,he was just referring as a top team which it definitely is in the current age ..My humble suggestion is to gather yourself and release your stress ..
Vik
Guest
Just coz you don’t like it? Michael Vaughan came out with the same statement. Blinkered much?
Vik
Guest
What utter hogwash. India, but for rain, would be 3-1 in this series. The nucleus of this team has beaten Australia, in Australia in the last two series. Name a team in the last 30 years that consistently wins away from home? Only the best team (Windies of the 80s and Aussies of the 90s (though the struggled to win in India))!
deepoz
Roar Rookie
Great post Seth. Though the newer generation batters especially, are never going to be similar to the older one. They grow up on limited overs diet, their technique and mind set are different; they go for their shots more often. I grew up and played in times when 4 runs an over was considered very quick. India has definitely done well because of their decent Ranji structure and most importantly, massive change in nature of wickets for the first class games. They are more seaming and bouncier; that's the reason why there is an assembly line of pace bowlers coming into Indian team. To my mind, Australian cricket is struggling because they have continued to be bullish in refusing to "include" regional players and there by expand their pool of talents; something India have done brilliantly (or Dhoni wouldn't ever have been discovered!). I have been lamenting that for a long time (I have been living down under for over 25 years now) and it pains me to see terrific talents stop at regional District First grade cricket or at best in Australian Country rep games. Admittedly it is hard in Australia due to distances to bring regional players under one umbrella but I believe Cricket Australia need another division of First class cricket to encourage regional players not to lose interest in the game at the age of 25 because they can't move to the state capital cities. Another thing missing in Australian cricket is grass root coaching. While Australia has one of the best coaching set up, unfortunately coaching to juniors and club level cricketers is bot great as there are no academies. Only if you are selected to play rep cricket you get any kind of coaching. I believe a lot of talent is lost to other sports in regional Australia because they have lot better pathways than cricket, for the young one to follow.
deepoz
Roar Rookie
I reckon what Virat says in the press conference may be slightly different to what he may be saying to his team mates in the dressing room. No good leader will bring his own player down in public; he may be wielding a cane in private. Focusing upon positives in defeats is not limited to him alone. He is far too direct to be a polly, to be honest. This is England's worst team I have seen in last 50 years; but that is hardly his fault. In fact, I believe if he doesn't win this series, I would suggest he shouldn't be skippering India. So while I was fuming at the non-inclusion of Ash at the Oval, he proved all wrong by winning the test with his plan. That needs to be accepted and acknowledged. And the claim of "best in the world" is his opinion and he is entitled to it. Surely results from last two years have been great for the Indian team under him, which was always considered tiger at home, lamb abroad.
Paul
Roar Guru
I think New Zealand is the best side for sure, Sedz. They have a weakness with their spinners but other than that, they are an all round very strong unit. I'm actually very impressed by the resilience of the Indian team and in fairness to Kohli, he has to take a great deal of credit for building on the foundations started by MS Dhoni and Ravi Shastri. As you rightly point out, they've won Tests where many thought that was not possible and that is due to them not giving in. What this resilience doesn't address is a team out of balance. Rohit is having a terrific 2021, KL Rahul's provided excellent support in this series and Pant was good in the home series in India with the bat. Pujara, Jadeja, Kohli and Pant have underperformed and it's only because the maligned India tail has overperformed, that India has won at least 2 Tests this year and perhaps more. Yes, that's what good teams do, but for how long? At some point soon, either the batsmen I've named must come good or be replaced. The bowlers are just that and as we saw at Headingley, if the batsmen don't score and the bowlers fail, it's next to impossible to win or even save a game.
whymuds
Roar Rookie
Paul, thanks for taking the time to respond. Always enjoy some cricket banter. I'll address your points individually. Re the top side comment. Kohli's W/L ratio as captain is 2.37 with a total of 38 wins from 65 matches. I'd hazard a guess that in the past 5 years India has been ranked #1 or near that consistently. We've won 2 away series in Australia and looking at at least drawing this one in England (though it should be wrapped up if the rain didn't help England in the 1st test). And in that time we have completely dominated at home. So yes, by many measures we are a top side. We are not the best followed by daylight. But Kohli never said we are the undisputed champs. Re recent capitulations, it happens to all teams. It's happened to England and Australia. And in my post, I did acknowledge we are flawed. But if you are going to selectively use those 2 innings only in a body of work stretching 7 years of captaincy, and ignore what happened after Adelaide and Headingly, then your argument is based on selective evidence. Re pitches, yes our batters averages were down. They were tough batting conditions. But in no series does every batter average 45 and every bowler 22. It never happens. But we still averaged more than England's batters and averaged less than England's bowlers, so we won. So my argument stands true - be better at bowling spin and playing spin. Look at Hayden when he toured India - he bossed it by disrupting lengths with the sweep and using his feet and big stride forward. Another way to look at it is this. In Kohli's time in charge, we have won more games in SENA countries (and series) than all SENA countries combined have won in India. Surely all this pitch doctoring (those devilish pitches that turn square only when visiting teams bat) should bite us in the bum at some stage and India start losing more games at home...?
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Lol. Yes
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
I would say this is a bit poor analysis. Our first ever win in Australia was special because it was first time ever any Asian country defeated Australia in their turf. Australia too retained Ashes in England against a far better England team team we are currently playing against, They too are only country to win and white wash New Zealand in New Zealand. Second string team theory has always been up for debate. You can say Australia would have won that match in Himachal and could have won the series if Mitchell Starc was not injured. Since 2010 we have lost two series at home. Yes we are winning at SENA countries, but they have started winning here too. It is just matter of time before we start losing series too. I do not find any virat magic behind our team's recent success. It is our bowlers. Virat is not teaching them bowling.Under virat now we have recorded some of the lowest scores in our test history. I am quite worried about this narrative of come back being too sensational. It almost feels like we need to get out for thirty six and seventy before making a comeback. That is not how a great team performs. Last but not least, a captain without championship trophies is like a king without his throne.
Seth Haven
Guest
Thanks Paul, Appreciate your consideration. I've represented one of the counties for 3 years and averaged 48+ only to be dropped. Had played with the likes of Sourav Ganguly and Flintoff. So I know a thing or two.
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
India can beat any side with half their side missing in indian condition? Australia would disagree.Take che, ash, jaddu ,rohit.boom boom out then let our team play with Australia, last time they came here, their spinners ran a circle around our batters.
Sedz
Guest
Kohli , Rahane and Pujara haven't been scoring runs in England either. Nor did they score in Australia. Except one innings he did average less than 25. Rohit and Rahul has been carrying them in England and ofcourse Shardul or Pant did whenever team needs it. You guys are fine when the pitch is flesh green where it swings n the team gets out for 36 or 47. But can't really agree when it suits spin. Because neither England nor Australia can play spin. Hypocrisy at its best.
Paul
Roar Guru
Wow, this is an article all on it's own Seth. First of all, this is one of the best posts I've read about the state of the game in England and if you replaced "England" with Australia" our situation is nearly the same. We probably have a few more Test quality batsmen in Shield cricket but not a lot and that talent pool seems pretty shallow at present. India also seem to be struggling to find Test quality batsmen. Guys like Gill & Shaw look amazing, but both have been quickly sorted out because their techniques are not quite good enough. I listened to Atherton talking about this with Nasser Hussein during the 2019 Ashes and they were massively critical of the timing of the different competitions in the English summer. Just like Australia, the prime cricketing months seem to be taken up with all manner of white ball competitions with the County games shoehorned at the start and end of the summer. I'm sure, just like Australia, the talent's there, but the focus on technique for the different games is not, not when one format dominates especially the money side. Test nations need to understand that they'l kill off white ball cricket because the really good players have had a solid grounding in the red ball game. If red ball cricket is not producing batsmen with good techniques, it won't be long before that starts to harm T20 and especially 50 over cricket. Thanks again for a great post.
Sedz
Guest
So whom do you think is the best side at the moment? NZ? Did they win any matches in India? Or Australia? Had India played them in any condition apart from NZ or England, results would be different. Let it be subcontinent or Aus/SA/WI, let's also not ignore the fact that India didn't have any warm up games unlike NZ who played two warm up against England. I am all happy for NZ and let me not take the credit away from such a quality team who did everything right in World cup as well. They're ofcourse deserving winners. But regardless India is resilient team and adjusts better than most teams. Do you think Australia will make a come back after loosing a test in humiliation? Read that Warne mentioned right now India is the best team. He didn't say it's the greatest team ever played. That title goes to Australia of 2000's. Next is Windies ofcourse. Even they struggled to win in India untill 2004 under Gilchrist. Equally it's tough for sub continent teams to snatch a win anywhere. India may not win next game but they are truly beet test team right now period.
Paul
Roar Guru
Thanks Tsat. I'm not having a go at the Indian team, far from it. I'm suggesting they have faults that need to be addressed (all of which you mentioned) and the comments from the skipper are premature.
Paul
Roar Guru
I think Kohli has come out way too early with these comments RA. I suspect the needling he took from the media after that big loss at Headingley really stung him and this was his way of saying "sorry, but you're wrong". The problem is, the series isn't over, England are slowly getting better and there's every chance they could turn the tables in Manchester. If they do, where does that leave Kohli after these remarks?