What if: Virat Kohli was dropped by selectors in 2012 during the Australia series

Imagine an Indian batting unit without Virat Kohli in it. Can’t think of it? neither can I but it could have been the story as the talismanic Indian Test skipper was almost dropped from the squad in 2012.

Indian batting legend Virender Sehwag recently revealed that the selectors in 2012 were not too keen on having Kohli in the playing XI in the Test series in Australia after a string of poor performances from the Delhi lad where he averaged 10.75 after the first two Tests. His runs were 11,0, 23 and 9.

Sehwag and Dhoni had convinced the selectors back then that the youngster needed a few more chances and they listed to the pair.

"The selectors wanted to play Rohit Sharma instead of Kohli at Perth in 2012," said Sehwag. “I was vice-captain and Dhoni was leading the team, and we decided that we have to back Kohli. The rest is history."

It was the opportunity that Kohli needed as he responded with a 44 and 75 at Perth and then went on to slam his maiden Test century at the Adelaide Test.

But what if the selectors had not listened and Kohli was dropped from the team? Let’s look at what could have happened.

#5 Rohit Sharma would have had his Test debut a year earlier

Rohit eventually made his Test debut in 2013

This is very obvious. The Mumbai talent who has been quite a force to reckon with in limited overs would have had his chance to make his Test debut if Kohli was dropped. He, however, did play in his inaugural Test match the next year when he featured against West Indies in Kolkata in November.

Now Rohit had always been a wonderful limited overs batsman since making his ODI debut back in 2007. But he was never considered to be the one to make a difference in Test matches and therefore struggled to find a place in the playing XI in whites.

Well, choosing Rohit over Kohli might have been a wrong decision as the former has struggled in the format since his debut.

From 21 games he has scored 1184 runs at a mediocre average of 37.00.

#4 India would have missed their biggest top-order talisman

Since that let off, Kohli has scored 15 Test hundreds

Since that decision to keep him in the squad, Kohli has gone on to notch 15 Test hundreds and 3960 runs in Test cricket which is quite phenomenal.

He has been India’s highest run-getter constantly in the last few years. If he would have faced the axe in 2012, India would have never got such a talisman at the top of the order.

Earlier people used to tune into their televisions to watch Sachin Tendulkar bat, now they tune in for Kohli. The still head, the grounded cover drives are all a treat to watch. And what a match winner he has been for the national team.

The biggest point to note is that Kohli never loses his heart. If he fails in an innings, he bounces back in the very next outing without much fuss.

Overall the team would have missed his attitude of fighting till the last breath.

#3 Maybe Ajinkya Rahane or Ravichandran Ashwin would have lead India in Tests

Who would have got the top job?

With Dhoni quitting the format in 2014, selectors would have only had few choices as the next man to lead India. Going by the fact that Ajinkya Rahane was appointed vice-captain till his injury in the ongoing Test series against England, the selectors probably would have chosen him to do the job.

Or maybe the selectors would have appointed Ravichandran Ashwin for all his experience in the format. The Chennai-born tweaker has been quite a revelation in Tests picking up a bagful of wickets and contributing heavily with the bat too. But could the likes of Ashwin and Rahane replicate the success that Kohli has had captaining the side? I don’t think so.

#2 Kohli would have been one of those cricketers who did not live up to potential

Maybe Kohli’s name would have just faded away

All the praises and accolades hailing him as “King” and “Master” would not have made their way to the batsman if he was dropped in 2012. He would have been like a Manoj Tiwary or a Mohammad Kaif whose talent did not live up to their full potential.

Maybe he the name Kohli would have faded away. And once or twice it would have popped up during the Ranji Trophy season. He would have never been the world-beater as he is now.

But knowing Kohli, he would not have taken the drop in his stride and instead would have hard worked his way back into the team. Maybe he would have achieved all these but a few years later.

#1 India would not be No.1 in Tests

Kohli with the Test Championship mace (Image courtesy: BCCI)

The photograph of a smiling Kohli holding the Test Championship mace would not have been in the newspapers or sports websites and India would not be a No.1 side without his contributions.

His runs, his leadership skills, his attitude and character all together has helped the Indian side become No.1 in the world.

I am pretty sure, the batting would not be the force it is now without Kohli, especially after Tendulkar retired. And with Dhoni leaving, the leadership would have suffered too.

Maybe India would have been the next West Indies in Test cricket but thanks to Sehwag and Dhoni who stopped it before it was too late.