Team India skipper Virat Kohli has enjoyed a meteoric rise ever since he took over the leadership duties after MS Dhoni stepped down from the role. While many anticipated that Kohli's emotions will work against the team but the talismanic run-scorer has proved everyone wrong including former Australia skipper Ian Chappell. The Aussie recently said that Kohli channelised his emotions in favour of the team.
Currently, the Men in Blues are in the best of their form winning their first-ever T20I series against New Zealand. They now lead 4-0 in the series and will hope to inflict a whitewash when they lock horns in the fifth and final game on February 2 (Sunday) at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Ahead of the final encounter, Virat Kohli has received a massive boost from former Aussie skipper Ian Chappell.
Writing in his column for ESPNCricinfo, Ian Chappell heaped praise on Virat Kohli. The veteran said he doubted Kohli's ability in a leader and has been proved wrong. Chappell also stated that the skipper deserves a lot of credit for instilling a winning mentality among the Indian cricketers which have changed the mindset of the entire bunch.
“As their captain in all three international formats, the versatile Virat Kohli deserves a lot of credit for creating this winning mentality. When a captain leads a side successfully on a regular basis, especially by occasionally plucking victory from the jaws of defeat, the team begin to believe he is a miracle worker. Kohli has earned the respect of the team as an inspiring leader and they expect good things to happen with him in charge.
“When he first became captain, especially of the Test team, I thought his highly emotional temperament might be detrimental to his leadership. Instead, he has ensured his emotions work for him and not against the team. This is in line with his clear-thinking approach to the game,” Ian Chappell said.
In conclusion, Ian Chappell hailed the entire Indian team for their dominance across the formats and the depth they enjoy in all the departments.
