When Virat Kohli holed out to Nathan Lyon in the second innings of India's chase against Australia at Adelaide in 2014-15 Border Gavaskar Trophy, disappointment loomed large on his face.
Kohli was the stand-in captain for the match and even though a draw could have been easily achieved, the young Kohli went for a win. Ultimately, the decision to go for a win in face of an easy draw proved costly and India lost. Kohli's centuries in both the innings could not inspire India to a win. There was disappointment but not disbelief. That one Test match gave a glimpse of what was to come and that one loss in Adelaide paved way for the wins that will eventually make Kohli the greatest Indian Test captain.
Kohli took over permanent Test captaincy for the fourth and final Test match against Australia on the 2014-15 tour. The cool and icy nature of Dhoni was replaced by raging fire that burnt within Kohli. A fire to win Test matches. A fire to make India the best in the world. A fire to ensure India would go for win even if it cost them the match. And Kohli did everything to achieve his dreams.
Pace transformation
Winning a Test match meant taking 20 wickets and even though India did that consistently at home thanks to their spinners, as soon as an away tour came, the pacers were just not up to the mark. Kohli took it in his own hands to ensure things would change under him. A strict fitness regime was introduced and that completely turned things around for not just Kohli but also his pacers.
The trio of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav which had been playing for a while were still not at their best before Kohli. However, once Kohli took over, the trio achieved new heights. They were quick, consistent and, most importantly, injury free. Kohli wanted his pacers to breath fire and his pacers did just that.
Soon, the peerless Jasprit Bumrah joined the experienced duo of Shami and Ishant. From being pedestrian at best, the Indian pace attack was suddenly being deemed as matchless.
Peak of powers
The 2018-2019 away season was one of the most exciting cricketing seasons in Indian touring history. India lost to South Africa 2-1 and then to England 4-1 but whoever followed the two tours knew that the scoreline for both the tours could have easily flipped in India's favour. Some key moments were lost but one thing was sure, an away tour did not simply meant India would capitulate. India would compete and risk it all to get a win.
This was also the peak of Kohli the batter. On some of the most tricky pitches on the tour, Kohli stood out. He scored 593 runs in England, no one else got even 350. He was also the top scorer in South Africa. While India lost both the series, an away win was not far from reach and that came in Australia.
The pace trio was again on song with Cheteshwar Pujara playing a starring role with the bat and that made Kohli the first Asian captain to lead their team to victory in Australia. Winning a Test series in Australia is regarded as the toughest thing to do in this game.
Three years later, India again beat Australia in Australia and even though Kohli was not the captain for the last three Tests, it was the team he had nurtured under his reign. His insistence on playing five bowlers no matter what. His insistence of going for the win no matter what. All of this was carried over quite ably by Ajinkya Rahane and India achieved a double over the mighty Australians.
Envious record
The reign of commander Kohli ended in 2022 and by that time, he had already become India's most successful Test captain. The numbers tell the story. With 40 wins in 68 matches, he is the fourth most successful Test captain in history of the format. India did not lose a Test series at home under him and competed abroad like no other team did.
At one point, there were conversations in cricketing circle whether the Indian team under Kohli matches the great Australian and West Indies sides at their peaks.
He was also at his best with the bat when he led the team. 20 out of his 30 Test centuries including all of his seven double tons came when he was the captain. He average 54.8 as a captain and just 37.4 without leadership. He led from the front and the players too were inspired by the brilliance of Kohli.
Now that there will be no more of Kohli in whites, Test cricket will be poorer. It's biggest brand ambassador has left but with a mark that will always remain imprinted on the red ball game.
