MUMBAI: This is a sight cricket is fast getting used to. Virat Kohli completing century, sprinting towards the other end, taking off in the middle of the run for a jump, one hand punching air. Captains are not supposed to do that. Right?
Wrong. For, India’s Test captain is breaking the stereotype. Brilliant, diligent and passion to excel his middle name, Kohli is about a lot of things the Indian fan had not seen. Not in terms of batsmanship, considering that the country has produced greats; for the will to dominate, no matter what the situation, and zeal to finish the job. If nobody can, he will.
Conditions were challenging for a period on Day 3 of the fourth Test. The bowling wasn’t the most incisive and catching was poor. But a job well begun was threatening to fall apart between lunch and tea, when India from 262/2 slumped to 307/6. First innings lead hanging in balance and with it control of the match, the captain brought forth his A game.
Doing what he has conditioned himself to, to be on top of the bowling by creating opportunities to score, and encouraging tail-enders to express themselves in no uncertain manner, Kohli ensured what he and Murali Vijay had so carefully constructed in the morning didn’t come crashing down. Anything India add to the lead of 51 will make survival tougher for England.
“You better not comment on him,” said Vijay in response to a question on Kohli. Not as fluent talking as his batting, the opener added, “That’s because every day he is improving. It’s difficult to describe. At the moment all I can say is he is batting at his prime, which is great for the team. Hopefully, he continues this for a longer period of time.”
Vijay’s role in India reaching a strong position wasn’t as cavalier, but no less significant. Determined to get a big one after lying low for a while, he was instrumental in blunting the bowlers after they had tasted early success twice in two days. Pointing to his shoulder to signify that bouncers couldn’t stop him from an eighth century, Vijay was the bedrock Kohli built on.
The skipper still a runaway winner for the ‘man of the day’ award because he had to undertake the job of rebuilding following the brief flurry of wickets. Not one to yield ground after gaining upper hand, Kohli quickly sensed the need to reaffirm supremacy. The repair work he started with Ravindra Jadeja was entirely about taking the battle to the opposition rather than wearing them down.
Expecting batsmen to be tentative and sniffing a chance to come back, England brought fielders up. A firm believer of the school that preaches putting bat to ball is the best method of survival, Kohli cut loose. Jadeja joined in. The next 18 deliveries fetched four fours and a six, a catch was dropped. England lost it as quickly as they had hit back.
“Very driven, ambitious and emotional, he wears his heart in his sleeves. He is expressive and wants to get into that competitive mode. Love competing against someone like him who makes things uncomfortable for the opposition,” said Joe Root of the force that hit them. Admiration from the rivals sums up the kind of impact Kohli is making. Not just on this Test.
atreyo@newindianexpress.com