Virat Kohli has always been admired by the likes of Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar as someone who is like Nawab Pataudi, and it’s because of his aggression and his belief in “lead by example” that he is being touted as the next captain of the Indian team.
There is hardly any doubt about his batting skills, but his leadership will be under some serious scrutiny in Zimbabwe as he would be leading a completely young side, with as many as five rookies in the team. Apart, he also must be looking to give his average a much-needed boost against Zimbabwe, as it currently stands at nine, which is far below his own standards.
This year has been more or less a mixed bag for him. He has scored just one hundred and has been looking quite impatient when he is new to the crease. It was a totally different story almost 12 months back when he just couldn’t do anything wrong and was looking much pacified than ever when he came out to bat.
It is a golden opportunity for Kohli, as a series win would definitely intill confidence in the selectors to promote him as the future captain once Mahendra Singh Dhoni decides to call it a day.
Though, it would be too early to say whether he can fill in the big boots of Dhoni, who has led Indian team to memorable wins in World Cup and Champions Trophy, but a few odd series like this can definitely help in grooming Kohli a the future skipper of Team India.
Amit Chopra
