India vs New Zealand 2019, captains' corner: Virat Kohli vs Kane Williamson- Who’s better?

Cricket is the only team sport where the role of the Captain is elaborate and all-absorbing. The glorious game has eleven players in one team but the collective responsibility of a nation’s win or loss is ultimately placed on the head and shoulders of the leader. He not only has to answer for his own failures but is held accountable for his teammates as well.

The skipper has to be an astute observer to the proceedings and has to remain proactive. Thus, the traditional cricket captains are customarily the best batsmen of the team. Sir Don Bradman, Sir Len Hutton, Sir Gary Sobers, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, etc. all have taken the burden of being a captain. It is easier to demand the absolute best from your teammates when you yourself are setting up an example.

In the modern era, we have four batsmen who shall definitely grace the hall of fame once they finish playing. England’s Joe Root, Australia’s Steve Smith, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and India’s Virat Kohli are all batting legends in making. All four also lead their respective nations, therefore, providing us with a chance of comparing their success in the other dimension than batting.

The upcoming 2019 World Cup will be the ultimate test for the above-mentioned four captains. Before we embark on the marquee event, we have an opportunity to see India and New Zealand pitted against each other in a five-match ODI series which will be followed by a T20I series. India’s ODI record in New Zealand is dismal, to say the least. The Asian team has only one ODI series win from ten trips. The previous outing in 2014-15 was a 0-4 surrender against the Kiwis.

Virat Kohli’s second-ranked Indian ODI team will be seeking revenge versus the third-ranked Blackcaps unit lead by Kane Williamson. Let’s look at the profiles of both the captains in detail.

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson

It is the consensus that Kane Williamson will be New Zealand’s greatest batsman by the time he finishes playing. The 28-year old batsman has proved his batting credentials in various conditions and against various oppositions. Williamson is naturally quiet and extremely humble. With him at the helm of the affairs, there is a general sense of calmness among the team.

Making his ODI debut in 2010, it took four years for Kane Williamson to earn the captaincy mantle. After New Zealand completed their World Cup 2015 campaign with the runner-up’s trophy, Williamson assumed the full charge of the side. He had the earlier experience of captaining the national under-19 team as well.

So far, Williamson has captained the side in 58 ODIs. He has tasted success 31 times while accepting bitter losses 25 times. As a captain, the fabulous batsman has scored 2,563 runs at an average of 47.46 with five centuries. He has also been adjudged the Man of the Match six times while leading the side. Under Williamson’s captaincy, New Zealand has won ten out of 19 ODI series.

The New Zealander has proved his leadership skills in the IPL and Test cricket as well. Williamson comes across as a passive and thinking captain. Many of the former cricketers have praised the Blackcaps captain for his technical expertise.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is currently the best batsman in the world in all formats of cricket. This man is a run-machine that keeps minting the runs regardless of the opposition and conditions. While Virat’s skills as a batsman are beyond criticism, his captaincy has always been under scrutiny and is viewed as a work in progress.

In an interview with a famous anchor, Kohli stated that he was always the captain of the teams he played for. Be it the age-group cricket, state cricket or international cricket. The tattoed youngster was earmarked for future success and captained the side temporarily in Dhoni’s absence. Virat Kohli received full power in ODIs in January 2017. Kohli’s record as an ODI captain is astounding.

In 60 matches that he has captained, India’s regular number three has scored 3,665 runs at an astronomical average of 85.23. He has added 17 centuries in this period with 13 fifties. India have been victorious on 44 occasions while it has faced defeat 14 times under Kohli’s leadership. The prolific batsman has been named the Man of the Match 12 times in his captaincy span. Virat wears his heart on the sleeve.

His mood inevitably appears on his face, and it is easily predictable whether he is agitated or happy. The super batsman is eccentric in his team selection and never fears to make unpopular decisions. He has been bashed and praised for these.

The Verdict:

Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli

Both Williamson and Kohli have been successful leaders of their side. Kohli has enjoyed greater success (win percentage - 75.42) than Williamson (win percentage - 55.35) as captain in terms of results. The Indian skipper has won 11 out of 14 ODI series while the Blackcaps captain has won ten out of 19. The results clearly favour Virat Kohli.

Virat also comes across as a great motivator for the side. He not only rakes up the mountain of runs for himself but is always supportive of his teammates. On the downside, he can be too expressive and can lose the plot once infuriated. Kohli relies heavily on MS Dhoni to help him out with the field placements. Another noted fault in Kohli’s leadership has been him not talking with the young bowlers in crisis conditions. The eccentric selections also weaken the confidence of players.

Williamson’s leadership is more muted, at least by what we observe on the playing field. He is extremely graceful and respects every opponent. In Ross Taylor, he has a senior partner to consult, but Williamson is typically on his own. He backs his players to come good in time, and the selections are rigid and consistent. He lacks Kohli’s skills of outplaying the opponent single-handedly, but he manages his available resources well.

The biggest test of ODI captaincy will definitely be the impending World Cup. The history has never forgotten a World Cup-winning captain and it will be the greatest stage for these two champions to claim the ultimate respect. The upcoming mini-battle of five ODIs between Kohli and Williamson will definitely provide a preview.