Should Virat Kohli Be Made the Captain of Team India Again?

Despite the recent resignation of the captain, there is a strong argument in favor of bringing Virat Kohli back to India's leadership. The debate over whether Rohit Sharma should replace him has been ongoing, but recent performances and historical achievements indicate that a return to Kohli’s captaincy might be the best option for the Indian cricket team.

The Current Situation: A Captain with Pressure

No one is suggesting that handing over the captaincy to Virat Kohli is a bad idea. The Indian cricket team, under his leadership, has seen numerous victories and has thrived in various formats. The team has consistently performed well under his guidance, which is a testament to his professional and strategic prowess.

However, the pressure on Kohli is undeniable, especially with his age (30 ) and the possibility that he might not be part of the next World Cup T20 team. This consideration suggests that it's time for new leadership. Nevertheless, the upcoming World Cup in 2023 might just be his last chance to lead the team in a major tournament.

Comparing Performances: Kohli vs. Rohit

Rohit Sharma is a strong candidate for the captaincy. His performances in recent ODIs have been impressive, scoring 1490 runs in 30 innings with an average of 57.0. Additionally, as an Indian captain in T20 matches for Mumbai Indians, he has scored 332 runs in 12 innings with a 27.7 average. In contrast, Kohli’s performance in the same role saw him score 1377 runs in 38 matches with an average of 59.9 in 2019 and 47.9 in 2020.

Even in the T20 format, where both have been captains for the Indian national team and their respective IPL teams, Kohli's performance is relatively similar. His role as captain for the Bangalore Royal Challengers in the IPL saw him score 466 runs in 15 innings, including three fifties.

While the statistics are almost the same, the reason Kohli's batting and overall performance are constantly under scrutiny is multifaceted. For instance, his last century in Test cricket was against Bangladesh in 2019. Since then, he has struggled, scoring only 218 runs in the T20 series against New Zealand at an average of 19.81. His Test scores have also been minimal, with only a few one to two-digit numbers.

Historical Achievements and Team Performance

However, Team India has always thrived under Kohli’s captaincy. The team has won several important matches and series under his leadership. They won 11 out of 22 international tournaments, including impressive performances against Sri Lanka, Australia, and New Zealand. His captaincy led to significant victories, such as the 2-0 win against Sri Lanka and the 4-0 victory against New Zealand.

Moreover, in the IPL, Kohli’s captaincy consistently brought success to his teams. For instance, in his best season as a captain for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the team managed to reach the playoffs for the first time in 14 games, scoring 466 runs, including three fifties. His form has fluctuated at times, but that is natural in any career.

Conclusion: Kohli's Captaincy Should Not Be Undermined

Given the team’s recent performance and the need for a leader, the case for bringing Kohli back to captaincy is not out of the question. While under pressure and battling a career that has seen its ups and downs, Kohli still has the potential to deliver. His leadership and experience continue to be assets that could benefit Team India in the coming tournaments, including the World Cup 2023.

His ability to guide the team through difficult times and his track record of success under his captaincy makes him a strong candidate. It remains to be seen if his form will bounce back, but his captaincy should not be judged solely on a few bad performances. The Indian cricket team needs a leader who can inspire, strategize, and deliver, and Virat Kohli still has the potential to be that leader.