Virat Kohli : READY FOR CAPTAINCY?

Yes, Dhoni batted exceedingly well for his 99, which saved India the blushes. But that should get him a spot in the team as batsman-wicket-keeper, not allow him to remain the leader of the ship. The Indian Test cricket is already sinking; we will only sink further with a tired skipper at the helm of affairs against a rapidly improving side like Australia. 

Coming to Virat, the singular argument against him is he isn’t ready for the job yet. Or rather he is too young and inexperienced in Test cricket. Arguably the best leader in the world now, one who also leads the world’s premier Test match team, Graeme Smith, was made captain at the age of 22. He clearly wasn’t ready for the job, more if we keep in mind the circumstances in which he was given the responsibility. Smith, keen and innovative, made a success of the opportunity. Our very own Saurav Ganguly is yet another example. When he was made captain in 2000, he was clearly not ready for the job. Sachin had given up captaincy and with no one else considered good enough Saurav, four years into international cricket, was given the responsibility. It soon turned into a defining moment for Indian cricket. 

Kohli too is close to four years old in international cricket. Already ICC player of the year in the one day 50 over format, he has clearly been India’s best batsman in 2012. Having scored a magnificent 133 of 86 deliveries at the start of the year and a 300 ball hundred at the end of the year he has demonstrated hunger and adaptability, things Indian cricket badly need at the moment.