Australia v India 2014-15: Mark Taylor impressed by Virat Kohli's Test captaincy debut at Adelaide

Virat Kohli led India admirably in his maiden assignment as Indian Test captain

Virat Kohli has come in for praise from former Australian captain Mark Taylor for the way he went about business in the middle in the absence of regular captain MS Dhoni. Despite scoring a century in each innings, however, Kohli couldn’t prevent India from losing the opening Test of the four-match Test series against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

The 50-year-old, who played his final Test match for Australia in 1999, said that he had a conversation with Kohli a day before the start of the first Test and and found out that he knew how to tackle the conditions over there.

"I remember speaking with him before the first day's play (at Adelaide) and he knows what it is like to play in Australia,” he said.

“He knows you have to stand up for yourself and be prepared to compete in the middle. He has done that not just with his captaincy but also with his bat. I liked the fact that they went for the debutant Karn Sharma in the XI thinking that leg-spinners do well here.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator said that he was impressed by the positive intent shown by the Indians and expects this to be a cracker of a series.

"I liked the intent even though I think R Ashwin would have bowled better than he did. I think this will be a really good Test series. We have almost been waiting for a contest like this.

“In 2011, India lost 4-0 here and then Australia went to India in 2013 and lost 4-0. I don't think that will be the case this time around on the evidence of this first Test," he added.

Was important for both teams to start playing again soon: Taylor

The series now heads to Brisbane for the second Test. The Gabba was originally scheduled to host the first Test, but due to the unfortunate demise of Phillip Hughes, the dates for the series were tweaked.

Taylor felt it was important for both the teams to bring their focus back to the series and added that the competitive nature of both sides was at display during the Test.

"It was imperative that these players get on the park and pay tribute to Phil Hughes and his family, and start the healing process. They need to take their mind to cricket and now we can start to move on from those tragic events. It has been very good, an excellent Test match.

“We did see a little bit of aggressive antics on the field but it hasn't been that bad. Both sides are competitive and that showed,” he added.

Virat is a great competitor, but still has a lot to learn: Taylor

Praising Kohli’s leadership qualities, Taylor said that while the 26-year-old is a great competitor, he still has to learn to play the role of a peacemaker, when things get heated out in the middle.

“Virat has been good in the field but they only took 12 wickets in two innings. So that's a concern for him, and the team management, that in neither innings Australia were bowled out. They declared twice.

“Even so, what I really liked was that he didn't allow things to drift and continued to try out new things all the time. His future as Indian captain though will be decided how he can handle those combative moments.

“He is very competitive and there is nothing wrong with that. But at times as captain you have to be the mediator and negotiator. So that will be something he will have to work on as he goes on ahead in his career as the Indian captain," he concluded.