India under 28 years old Virat Kohli are doing wonders. They have gained a 3-0 lead against England in the fourth test at Mumbai. If they win the last test at Chennai, it will be a record. Kohli has scored a few great centuries and former England captain Atherton has attributed a touch of genius to his batting. Kohli himself has called this series win India’s best against England. India had lost 3 successive series to England between 2011 and 2014. If India can perform equally well in away series, it will be at the top in the game. India’s victory in the Mumbai test by an innings and 36 runs was the best against England in home series. Kohli has led India to victory in 5 test series beating Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand and England. He has also hit up 1000 sparkling runs in a calendar year. Only Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar had done it before. Truly, he has been compared to the illustrious Donald Bradman. In the series against England, Ravi Chandran Ashwin excelled himself with 71 test wickets under his belt. But India still needs a fast bowler and spinners like Bedi and Chandrashekhar.
Kohli has decidedly engendered team spirit. But individuals still prove decisive for success. That of course has often been the case. At one time West Indies meant Worrell, Weeks and Walcott or Ramadhin and Valentine. Kohli as skipper combines skill with leadership quality. The Indian team is infused with young blood. It remains to be seen how it fares in Australia, England and South Africa on their pitch.
