While Virat Kohli’s captaincy records speak volumes, the right-hander’s biggest strength has been to prepare a potent bowling attack, especially the pace department, and go for a win in all circumstances. Recently, the Indian captain had a chat with Test opener Mayank Agarwal, where he shed light on his aggressive approach as a leader in whites.
Kohli told Mayank Agarwal in a video interview posted on bcci.tv when asked about his X-factor as a captain, “I would not compromise on wanting a result in any situation, drawing a game for me should be the last option. Say we need 300 on the last day and opposition gives you that target. I would say to the guys let’s go for it. It’s 100 runs in a session and even if you lose a couple of wickets and score 80 in the first session we can make up for it by scoring 120 runs in the final session,” stated the right-hander.
Kohli-led India’s aggressive approach was highly-appreciated when the side went for the 364-run-target versus Australia, in the Adelaide Test in 2014, on the final day’s play. Courtesy Kohli’s 141 and Murali Vijay’s 99, India were comfortably placed at 242 for 2. However, from thereon, they slipped to 307 for 7 and eventually folded for 315 to lose by 48 runs.
The same approach was witnessed in the final Test of the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Chasing 349, India were on course at 178 for 2 on Day Five. However, another collapse saw them playing for a draw.
Under Kohli, India have once again become a dominant force as a Test unit. They are ranked number two in the ICC Test Rankings and will go all-out in the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy versus the Baggy Greens, to be held later this year in Australia.
