Act 1 : Melbourne Cricket ground is
filled with 90,000 spectators for 1st T20 World Cup encounter between
arch rivals India and Pakistan. Pakistan had scored 160 in 1st
innings on a swinging day. India were 45/4 at the end of 10 overs. They needed
another 116 runs in 10 overs. Kohli was at 12 off 22 balls.
What followed was, in words of Kohli,
“his best T20 innings” where the world stood and acknowledged the greatness of
the KING. Clearly to many, the potential was realized. The promise was kept!
The question to be asked is
therefore, what led to this surreal performance. Virat Kohli had made his debut
way back in 2010 in Zimbabwe. He was Captain of RCB in IPL from 2011 un till 2021. He labored as a captain of
Indian International team from 2017 to 2021. Kohli has played 110 International
matches at an impressive Average of 51.97 at a SR of 138. Also in the IPL he
has played 223 matches at average of 36 and a SR of 129. Important point is
that he hasn’t been able to win a single International or IPL title.
Similarly, while Kohli has been a
team member of the World cup winning 2011 squad, he hasn’t been able to convert
his ability to Championships for India in 50 over format. India lost for the 1st
time in an ICC tournament to Pakistan in
2017 finals of ICC Champions Trophy. Similarly, as his last assignment as captain
in T20 cricket, India lost to Pakistan in World Cup. Kohli has the dubious
distinction to be the only Indian Captain to lose to Pakistan in a World Cup in
any format. He in fact as a captain he
has lost twice to Pakistan in ICC Tournaments. That is not welcome in Indian
Cricket.
His personal success against the
backdrop of failure of his team is not something new for Indian Cricket .
Sachin Tendulkar will recount his tenure
as a captain. However, what needs to be understood is that the team that played
with Sachin was different from the team that played with Virat. India under Virat
had arguably the best resources in World Cricket at that moment in any format
of the game. The battery of fast bowlers, the skill and diversity of its all
rounders, the class and aggressive nature of its batting lineup. Add to it the
fact that the unit was the best fielding
unit of the world. Kohli indeed should be credited for lifting the fitness
standards of the team.
Clearly the only reason for
Indian team to be not winning has to do with Coach Ravi Shastri and Captain
Virat Kohli. The team capitulated at every knockout moment in an ICC tournament.
That they could not deliver an ICC championship with all the resources of the
world. Here Indian cricket asked itself a question: what is more important:
pleasing ego of a “Star” or to try and win the most coveted Championship the
sport has to offer. BCCI selection committee chose to replace Virat with the
most decorated T20 Captain available i.e. with Rohit Sharma. It is well known
that Rohit’s approach to the game allows teams to focus in pressure. Also what
it has done is that it has freed Virat to focus his efforts on what he does
best - batting. While his ego and that of his followers will not allow them to
see this fact but the unburdening of failed Captain was apt both for Virat and
Team India. Also the fact that Virat’s attitude is what it is, he will try and
prove people wrong. That attitude is now being channelized positively for the
championship we so cherish. One does not care what he thinks of people who
removed him from his captaincy as long as that is contributing positively to
the interest of Indian Cricket team.
This team and please mark my
words….. has what it takes to win this and many more forthcoming championships.
To me, with the resources we have, if we do not win every 2nd ICC
championship, we are not doing justice to our talent and resources. I am of the
firm opinion that in Melbourne on 13th Nov 2022 India will bring home
World Cup after 15 years. That shall be the final act of the script written by
Dada. Act 1 is done. Final act shall be on 13th Nov 2022.
It has been a bit too long that
we had to wait. THE WAIT IS OVER !!!!!
