Ever since Virat Kohli took over as full-time Test skipper early in 2015, the graph of the Indian team has progressed only in one direction – upwards. The ace batsman has captained India in 17 Tests so far, out of which they have won 10 and lost just 2, whereas 5 have ended in a stalemate.
The primary highlight of Team India’s success under Kohli’s leadership has been the way in which some of the experienced hands have stepped up their game and are performing in a highly consistent manner. As a result, their individual statistics have also improved a lot in comparison to the numbers that they had under previous captains.
Here we take a look at 5 such cricketers who have thrived under Virat Kohli:
#5 Amit Mishra
Amit Mishra, the leg-spinner from Haryana, made a comeback to the Indian Test side after a period of four years in the year 2015. A lot had changed in Indian cricket on Mishra’s return to the Test fold including the skipper of the team in the longest format.
However, as it turned out, it was a welcome change for the leggie as his new captain, Virat Kohli, has shown much more faith in him in comparison to the other captain that he played most of his cricket under, MS Dhoni.
Mishra featured in 11 Tests during Dhoni’s reign as Test skipper and managed just 34 wickets at a terrible average of 45.82. Things have been completely different under Kohli’s leadership, though, as the 33-year old has grabbed 28 wickets in just 7 matches at a staggering average of 20.64.
Although Amit Mishra has received limited opportunities since making his comeback, Virat Kohli’s usage of him as an attacking bowler has certainly helped him thrive.
#4 Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen in the current Indian Test team and seeing the way he has been playing, he may soon be counted among the finest in the world. Pujara is another player whose game has prospered even more under the leadership of Virat Kohli.
In 26 Tests that the Saurashtra batsman played with MS Dhoni at the helm, he scored close to 2000 runs at an average of 47.11 including 6 centuries. On the other hand, Cheteshwar Pujara has averaged as high as 54.75 in 12 matches under Kohli with 2 centuries and 5 fifties.
Pujara’s best performance with Virat skippering the team came during the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand as he finished with a tally of 373 runs in 6 innings at an average of over 70 and a top score of 101 not out.
The spike in Cheteshwar Pujara’s career graph since Virat Kohli took over the reins of the Test team augurs well not only for the batsman himself but also for Team India.
#3 Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja’s transformation as one of Team India’s lead strike bowlers, particularly in home Tests, has been quite incredible. Most of the talented all-rounder’s best performances, though, have come under the aggressive leadership of Virat Kohli.
Although Jadeja had always been an effective bowler in limited-overs cricket, his potential as a Test spinner was recognised by former skipper MS Dhoni who used him brilliantly when India whitewashed Australia at home in 2013.
The left-arm spinner claimed 45 wickets at a very decent average of 30.37 in the 12 Tests that he played under Dhoni. However, with Kohli at the helm, Jadeja’s figures are phenomenal as he has 40 scalps in just 8 games at a mind-boggling average of 15.82.
Virat Kohli has been judicious in his use of Ravindra Jadeja as a bowling option with his ‘horses for courses’ approach and this has helped the Saurashtra all-rounder excel in Test cricket.
#2 Ajinkya Rahane
It would be safe to say that Ajinkya Rahane has been India’s most reliable batsman in Tests for quite a while now. Not only has he been consistent in terms of run scoring, he has also successfully negotiated different types of conditions in perhaps every nook of the cricketing world, be it England, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand among others.
Rahane was quite brilliant even when playing under MS Dhoni as he scored nearly 1000 runs in 23 innings at an impressive average of 45.90 with 3 magnificent centuries. But with Kohli around, the Mumbai batsman has transcended his previous exploits by scoring 1245 runs in 27 innings at an increased average of 56.59.
Recently, Ajinkya Rahane recorded his highest score in Tests, scoring 188 runs and sharing a record 365-run stand with his current skipper, who also scored 211. Although Rahane has always been confident about his ability, it looks like he has been backing himself even more under Virat Kohli’s potent leadership.
Considering the way he has been playing, it will surely not come as a surprise if the 28-year old manages to carve his own niche among the Indian batting legends.
#1 Ravichandran Ashwin
It has taken Ravichandran Ashwin just 39 Tests since making his debut in 2011 to establish himself as the best spinner in world cricket at present. Such has been the astonishing progress of the Tamil Nadu off-spinner that it has left the cricketing fraternity speechless.
While former Indian skipper MS Dhoni can be credited for backing his skills and helping him establish his reputation as a world-class spinner, it is under Virat Kohli that the great match-winner in Ashwin has really emerged to the fore.
Between the years 2011 and 2014, the offie played 22 Tests under Dhoni's captaincy and claimed 109 wickets at a very good average of 28.77 with 9 five-wicket hauls. Ashwin had played 6 Tests lesser with Kohli as captain but has already captured 106 wickets at an outstanding average of 18.31 and this includes 12 five-wicket hauls.
Moreover, Ravichandran Ashwin has picked up the Man of the Series award in all 4 series’ that India have won during Virat Kohli’s reign so far. A lot of bowling records will be under threat if Ashwin continues in his current vein of form for the next few years.
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