A defeat in the 4th consecutive Test as captain for Virat Kohli has started to ring alarm bells in the cricketing fraternity. The result of India’s first Test against England in Chennai has further fuelled the Virat Kohli vs Ajinkya Rahane captaincy debate, so much so that Monty Panesar feels a captaincy change could be made if India lose the series against England.
Kohli has an unparalleled record as the captain of the Indian team in the longest format of the game but successive losses against New Zealand, Australia and now England have raised questions on his approach and style of leadership.
Speaking to timesofindia.com, Panesar asserted that a series loss against the Englishmen at home could be the final nail in the coffin for Kohli as the captain of the Indian Test team.
“If he loses this Test series, they’ll probably change the captain. This is a big series for Kohli to win and if he’s not able to do that, I think it would be the end of his captaincy. It is time when Virat just probably should focus on his batting. If this Test series is not won by India, then Rahane should take over the captaincy (in Test cricket) from Virat,” Panesar told TOI.
The defeat against England in the first Test saw India dropping down to No. 4 spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table. The situation does put pressure on Kohli to find a quick resolution to end this losing streak. Panesar, however, feels Kohli should quit captaincy himself if India fail to win the 2nd Test.
“Virat will be under pressure. This is an important series for him. If he loses the second Test, I think he should give up his captaincy. Because India will be down 2-0 in the series, and they should change the captain. Virat desperately needs a win or a draw. If he doesn’t, it could be his last match as captain,” the former England spinner told the website.
