Has Virat Kohli reawakened fan interest in Tests in India?

[pillionrider]

Disclaimer: This is not some backhanded Dhoni bashing attempt.
I don't post too much, but take my word that you would have to work hard to find a bigger Dhoni fan than me. Subcontinental attitudes to cricket is usually based on divides and being a fan of one automatically seems to pit you as the hater of another. So disclaimers aside:

When India plays test cricket nowadays, do you feel:

i. Unworried that India could lose a test because you trust Kohli when he says he's prepared to lose to win?

ii. The team seems awake and alive through all five days, even when they aren't doing well?

iii. There is a genuine camaraderie between most of them which you can vicariously partake in?

iv. That India have finally discovered, albeit late, that Umesh Yadav and Shami can be exciting bowlers under the right captain?

v. Perhaps none of the above. And yet, at a basic inexplicable level, you don't mind kicking back and watching India in whites for hours on end without feeling sleepy?

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Absolutely spot on. He has rekindled Indian fans' interest in watching test cricket.

We feel all the points you listed. Especially points 3 and 4.

One more additional point, with Kohli in charge, you know that while he gives a lot of encouragement, he won't tolerate mediocre performance for too long. This pushes players to be the best they can be.

Very proactive captain.

 

[adit_sh]

Not sure. I probably will comment after they complete few tours abroad. My interest was lost after 8-0 in 2011. so need to win atleast few matches there to get to that.

 

[Tekcirc]

I think we should also give due credit to BCCI. They have actually emphasized on performances in Tests quite a lot in recent times. Arranged a lot of tours for A team, U-19s, provided and solicited greats to help them build up a winning team.

 

[Statsman]

Not sure. I probably will comment after they complete few tours abroad. My interest was lost after 8-0 in 2011. so need to win atleast few matches there to get to that.

Agree. Apart from the series against England we were amazing at home under Dhoni as well.

 

[Statsman]

Apart from 1-2 players this is the same team that used to play under Dhoni. Ishant and Umesh still average 36-37+, Bhuvi is still pitch dependent, Rohit Sharma still might get a game or two once he is back, Jaḍeja and Ashwin are still very good at home. I'll get excited when we win or draw a series in SA/England/Australia or even NZ with this team.

 

[Sidilicious]

Apart from 1-2 players this is the same team that used to play under Dhoni. Ishant and Umesh still average 36-37+, Bhuvi is still pitch dependent, Rohit Sharma still might get a game or two once he is back, Jaḍeja and Ashwin are still very good at home. I'll get excited when we win or draw a series in SA/England/Australia or even NZ with this team.

I get where you are coming from, but there used to be a point under Dhoni when it felt like Test cricket was secondary for him. Instead it was the JAMODIs that Dhoni cared for more. But under Kohli Test seems to be the main event for all players.

 

[Statsman]

I get where you are coming from, but there used to be a point under Dhoni when it felt like Test cricket was secondary for him. Instead it was the JAMODIs that Dhoni cared for more. But under Kohli Test seems to be the main event for all players.

Somehow I found test cricket most exciting when we had Sehwag, Gambhir, SRT, Zak, Bhajji, Dravid, Lax etc. playing. Especially the early tours to England and NZ. We competed well in all departments. Nowadays its mostly about spinning out oppositions on tracks that don't offer much to conventional pace bowling. Under Dhoni for a long time Zak was the mainstay of our bowling attack and had decent support from other medium pacers.

That's why I said I would want to wait for this team's performance outside the comfort zone to confirm if the likes of Yadav et al have really improved or not.

 

[Sidilicious]

Somehow I found test cricket most exciting when we had Sehwag, Gambhir, SRT, Zak, Bhajji, Dravid, Lax etc. playing. Especially the early tours to England and NZ. We competed well in all departments. Nowadays its mostly about spinning out oppositions on tracks that don't offer much to conventional pace bowling. Under Dhoni for a long time Zak was the mainstay of our bowling attack and had decent support from other medium pacers.

That's why I said I would want to wait for this team's performance outside the comfort zone to confirm if the likes of Yadav et al have really improved or not.

Sure. But I was talking more about time around 2012 - 2014. Before that, especially from the SA tour in 2006 to Eng tour in 2011, it was fun to watch cricket. Even though we lost 4-0 to England in 2011, but in the first couple of tests, I genuinely felt that even Dhoni wanted to win and he cared about tests. But since Aus 2011/12 I think he lost a lot of interest in Test cricket.

 

[Statsman]

Sure. But I was talking more about time around 2012 - 2014. Before that, especially from the SA tour in 2006 to Eng tour in 2011, it was fun to watch cricket. Even though we lost 4-0 to England in 2011, but in the first couple of tests, I genuinely felt that even Dhoni wanted to win and he cared about tests. But since Aus 2011/12 I think he lost a lot of interest in Test cricket.

Agree. Not sure why he continued though. Any way, lets hope Kohli shows better character on off days.

 

[pillionrider]

One more additional point, with Kohli in charge, you know that while he gives a lot of encouragement, he won't tolerate mediocre performance for too long. This pushes players to be the best they can be.

I'm counting on him being a little lax on Rohit. Bu that's just a biased Rohit fan speaking

Apart from 1-2 players this is the same team that used to play under Dhoni. Ishant and Umesh still average 36-37+, Bhuvi is still pitch dependent, Rohit Sharma still might get a game or two once he is back, Jaḍeja and Ashwin are still very good at home. I'll get excited when we win or draw a series in SA/England/Australia or even NZ with this team.

Just to clarify - I wasn't specifically referring to India suddenly turning into a world-beating side or winning a lot. More about the rekindled interest that I feel in watching them play test cricket. As an example - when India had miserable tours of Australia (their invincible era), you still felt interested enough to watch your team get a hammering. Even if the team looked beaten and down, you felt they were emotional about it and not just going through the motions. [MENTION=134408]Sidilicious[/MENTION] alludes to this in his post.

 

[Stallion__]

Tbh, he has made India boring to watch, the batting line up has become a run scoring automaton and you know one possible result is out of equation in India

But yes, he brings in freshness, energy and relentlessness whether he is batting or fielding. There is a lot to like about Kohli as a captain. He ensures that every team member knows his role and knows what is expected of him. He tries to make things happen rather that waiting for them to happen themselves. But it's always easier to swim with the tide. He is yet to face his biggest challenge. He needs to come up with a workable bowling strategy in alien conditions. That's how he can distinguish himself from other Indian captains of past.

 

[joly]

I will wait for 2 overseas series with a fully fit team (shami,Umesh,Bhuvi) mixed with good batting show

 

[pillionrider]

He tries to make things happen rather that waiting for them to happen themselves.

If one were to be critical of his captaincy in tactical terms, he tends to follow the ball as they say. You'll see him place a fielder in a non-traditional spot. The ball goes in the air to the traditional spot and Kohli immediately switches the fielder. It's been happening too regularly to not notice it.

 

[rahulrulezz]

Great thread. And best one is point 4. Umesh is a total different bowler under Kohli. The amount of support he gives to 140 plus bowlers is refereshing to see.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Umesh and Shami look threatening under him, especially I like this 5 bowler approach which gives enough space for all bowlers to go full throttle. Having only 5 spl batsmen has worked in our favor as everyone contributes in one innings or other, I just hope Rohit never gets selected in test team forever

I am genuinely happy to see people like Saha perform who were never trusted much before.

While batting I only watch Kohli, Rahane and Rahul but I am more keen to see the bowlers under Kohli, loved Chennai day 5

 

[Tusker]

People have short memories ... after about the same first 20-25 match period we used to say the same thing about Dhoni .... then he ran into some really good Eng and Aussies teams in their backyard with "legends" like Ishant. If Kohli runs into the same sort of teams overseas he will find out what it feels like when you go into a gunfight with a toothpick as your primary weapon.

 

[Buffet]

Winning at home is nothing new for India. Let him captain his side in Aus, SA , Eng etc... Then it will be fair to pass a judgement on the point OP is raising.

 

[Varun]

The key difference between him and Dhoni in sub-continental tests is that Kohli keeps the pacers in the game. The likes of Umesh or Ishant or Kumar are always on standby to bowl, while Dhoni would just eke out a couple of overs out and send them over to third man for the rest of the day.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

We are as ruthless atm as we were under MS at home and frankly - SL and WI win are 'away' wins but it hardly had to do with tactical brilliance, we were simply a much better side.


Naturally since Kohli is a new skipper and comes across as someone who is willing to be aggressive even if it means losing, it will be exciting to watch India tour away next.

 

[Tusker]

The key difference between him and Dhoni in sub-continental tests is that Kohli keeps the pacers in the game. The likes of Umesh or Ishant or Kumar are always on standby to bowl, while Dhoni would just eke out a couple of overs out and send them over to third man for the rest of the day.

A certain Ishant Sharma bagged the Man of Series award under MSD and that too in India .... as I said people tend to have short memories.

 

[The_Odd_One]

I will wait for overseas tours.

 

[Ab Fan]

Or may be the guy who recently broke the record of fastest to 250 wickets..

 

[spade]

Virat is an icon in Indian cricket, he has enormous fan following, he was mediocre before the England test series but since then, he has transformed himself into a remarkable batsman, his footwork against spin has improved by leaps and bounds and that has brought about his finest test innings against England. He has conquered his toughest challenge and now it should be smooth sailing for him going into the Aus series.

 

[Tekcirc]

Virat is an icon in Indian cricket, he has enormous fan following, he was mediocre before the England test series but since then, he has transformed himself into a remarkable batsman, his footwork against spin has improved by leaps and bounds and that has brought about his finest test innings against England. He has conquered his toughest challenge and now it should be smooth sailing for him going into the Aus series.

In the last 2 years , he actually averages 60+ in each of the formats !!!

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...5;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

 

[jusarrived]

A certain Ishant Sharma bagged the Man of Series award under MSD and that too in India .... as I said people tend to have short memories.

Our bowling be it Pace/Spin is and has been top notch at home . Ishant is still our best pace bowler , Yadav on his day is really good and Shami is our best non playing pace bowler . I really dont know whats changed under Virat .

 

[cricketfanfirst]

MS was a great ODI captain but not a proactive test captain. Was never a big fan of his in test matches...

Regarding Virats seeing his captaincy style (backing the bowlers, trying for results etc.,) and his own ambition, high standards he set for himself and the sheer determination, I'm hopeful that under Virat, we will be more competitive outside India too.

 

[spade]

In the last 2 years , he actually averages 60+ in each of the formats !!!

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...5;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

Test cricket is what matters.

 

[Tekcirc]

Test cricket is what matters.

I am saying its 60+ in ALL the formats each separately!

 

[spade]

I am saying its 60+ in ALL the formats each separately!

Yes, i got it, I do not rate the centuries he scored in Australia except for the one where he nearly took us home in Adelaide where the ball was fizzing, aus is one of the easiest places since the flat drop-in pitches are being laid out, even Shafiq of all people scored a century there, kohli's actual improvement is visible in his knocks in turners against England, specially after India was facing a huge deficit in the first innings.

 

[Tekcirc]

Yes, i got it, I do not rate the centuries he scored in Australia except for the one where he nearly took us home in Adelaide where the ball was fizzing, aus is one of the easiest places since the flat drop-in pitches are being laid out, even Shafiq of all people scored a century there, kohli's actual improvement is visible in his knocks in turners against England, specially after India was facing a huge deficit in the first innings.

Bro, now Kohli cannot manufacture hard surfaces for him to bat on can he. He has been exceptional wherever he has played in the last 2 years! 2 years of cricket is not a small sample size to say its an anomaly.

 

[spade]

Bro, now Kohli cannot manufacture hard surfaces for him to bat on can he. He has been exceptional wherever he has played in the last 2 years! 2 years of cricket is not a small sample size to say its an anomaly.

Brother, the reason why he was not as prolific when he started playing tests to what he is today was his inability to play spin with the same level of confidence as he did with the pacers, that's why he used to fail in india since, the international itinerary had a lot of foreign tours in that period he had no trouble whatsoever in tackling the pacers, ever since the home tour began he made a conscious effort to improve his game against spinners and right now he is impregnable. He will most probably score 4 centuries considering only 4 innings are required to whitewash australia. :

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Our bowling be it Pace/Spin is and has been top notch at home . Ishant is still our best pace bowler , Yadav on his day is really good and Shami is our best non playing pace bowler . I really dont know whats changed under Virat .

Won a series in SL and won 4-0 against Eng at home. Dhoni couldn't do this.

 

[Tusker]

Won a series in SL and won 4-0 against Eng at home. Dhoni couldn't do this.

Dhoni won 8/8 Tests vs Aus at home against a much stronger Aussie team than what Kohli has encountered so far.

 

[Tekcirc]

Dhoni won 8/8 Tests vs Aus at home against a much stronger Aussie team than what Kohli has encountered so far.

Oh yeah, Kumble retired mid series too. I think Australia makes Indian captains retire mid tour

 

[jusarrived]

Won a series in SL and won 4-0 against Eng at home. Dhoni couldn't do this.

Both sides arguably weaker than Bangla in these conditions ?
I hope hes does better than Dhoni in every aspect , but our biggest issue overseas has been our pace bowlers adapting to conditions when they play overseas . There is nothing to suggest Yadav and are not going to get wacked when they play again in Aus or SA .

 

[Drreddymd]

Umesh and Shami look threatening under him, especially I like this 5 bowler approach which gives enough space for all bowlers to go full throttle. Having only 5 spl batsmen has worked in our favor as everyone contributes in one innings or other, I just hope Rohit never gets selected in test team forever

I am genuinely happy to see people like Saha perform who were never trusted much before.

While batting I only watch Kohli, Rahane and Rahul but I am more keen to see the bowlers under Kohli, loved Chennai day 5

I agree with u on five bowler strategy. It gives breathing space to pacers, make batsman and also lower order to value their wickets and not throw away their wickets

 

[Drreddymd]

Dhoni won 8/8 Tests vs Aus at home against a much stronger Aussie team than what Kohli has encountered so far.

He has won 7 out of 8 tests i think. In 2007 series aus has drawn 2 matches and kumble retired mid series as a captain

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Certainly. Takes me back to the days of Dada/SRT/Jammy/VVS/Viru/Zak/Jumbo etc. But i think it's even better in that we are actually being quite ruthless at home and away in places like SL and Windies. I may be in the minority but Dhoni was quite boring and defensive and i never really saw him as a master strategist in any format but especially so in tests.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

We are on a 19 match undefeated streak and which might very well extend to 23 match undefeated streak by the time OZ leave India. That would be extremely impressive.

 

[Tekcirc]

Certainly. Takes me back to the days of Dada/SRT/Jammy/VVS/Viru/Zak/Jumbo etc. But i think it's even better in that we are actually being quite ruthless at home and away in places like SL and Windies. I may be in the minority but Dhoni was quite boring and defensive and i never really saw him as a master strategist in any format but especially so in tests.

The 5 bowler strategy is bearing fruits. You don't win many games without taking 20 wickets!
India has taken 20 wickets in all but the one England game in last 20 games. Rest of the draws were because of rains.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

The 5 bowler strategy is bearing fruits. You don't win many games without taking 20 wickets!
India has taken 20 wickets in all but the one England game in last 20 games. Rest of the draws were because of rains.

Agreed. 5 bowler strategy has worked for us quite well. I was initially a skeptic but i'm quite convinced of it's necessity now.

 

[Zahid87]

The key difference between him and Dhoni in sub-continental tests is that Kohli keeps the pacers in the game. The likes of Umesh or Ishant or Kumar are always on standby to bowl, while Dhoni would just eke out a couple of overs out and send them over to third man for the rest of the day.

Interesting to see if this will result in halting the deterioration of Indian pace bowlers. Maybe by being kept in the game, and given an active role when playing at home, performances away will also improve? Big maybe though....

Other thing is that they are not just available to bowl, but looked at as viable wicket taking options. Instills confidence. The Dhoni method was to say just bowl line and length, and wear the ball down a bit whilst its new.

Just look at the difference in opportunities that Umesh Yadav is getting now under Kohli, versus Dhoni.

Increased emphasis on fitness under Kohli will also pay dividends - always felt that in the series against England in 2014, they were tired after the first 2 tests, lost Ishant to injury, and then lost the 3rd test trying to play defensively with an extra batsmen. Fell away after that.

 

[JaDed]

Winning at home is nothing new for India. Let him captain his side in Aus, SA , Eng etc... Then it will be fair to pass a judgement on the point OP is raising.

Winning at home with pacers reverse swinging is something that is nice to see compared to before,Shami,Umesh,Bhuvi and Ishant have been more than decent in past 2-3 series.

 

[Tusker]

He has won 7 out of 8 tests i think. In 2007 series aus has drawn 2 matches and kumble retired mid series as a captain

It's 8 out of 8 as captain vs Aus at home. We won the 2 tests vs Aus when Dhoni was captain. Drew the other 2 when Kumble was captain.

And just like now people were falling over each other to Hail Dhoni. The thing with Desi public is that our memories are very very selective and short range . We could learn a thing or two from the Western world on how to treat our heroes. Pretty sure we will find ways to discredit all great things achieved by Kohli, Ashwin etc.

 

[Buffet]

Winning at home with pacers reverse swinging is something that is nice to see compared to before,Shami,Umesh,Bhuvi and Ishant have been more than decent in past 2-3 series.

Reversing the ball is not new for Indians in India. One of the best reverse swing in recent years was done by Shami during SRT's retirement series. I saw entire series due to SRT and Shami was doing it very well. Dhoni was captain back then.

So nothing new till India actually plays in Aus, Eng, SA etc under Kohli.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Without a doubt, this is the most dominant Indian team at home and one of the most dominant at home of all time.

A lot of Indian teams of the past would have drawn the past three test matches. India has to bat fast and hard and bowl aggressively to get a result from such a flat pitch.

I hope we see some turners soon.

Again, none of this has any correlation with performance in Aus, Eng, SA. That said, India is always competitive in those places except the transitionary period in 2011.

 

[jusarrived]

Winning at home with pacers reverse swinging is something that is nice to see compared to before,Shami,Umesh,Bhuvi and Ishant have been more than decent in past 2-3 series.

Iam not sure you have watched India play at home .

You should check where all our bowlers best performances came ? Shami I think ripped through WI in his very first series IIRC at home ( picked 9 in a match ? ), Ishant was in MoM against Aus at home , Zaheer in the past was one of the biggest reason why we won at home . Even if go back even Srinaths best came at home .

 

[Statsman]

Winning at home with pacers reverse swinging is something that is nice to see compared to before,Shami,Umesh,Bhuvi and Ishant have been more than decent in past 2-3 series.

As mentioned by others Indian pacers have always performed better at home. Shami was reverse swinging in his first series.

 

[JaDed]

Reversing the ball is not new for Indians in India. One of the best reverse swing in recent years was done by Shami during SRT's retirement series. I saw entire series due to SRT and Shami was doing it very well. Dhoni was captain back then.

So nothing new till India actually plays in Aus, Eng, SA etc under Kohli.

Iam not sure you have watched India play at home .

You should check where all our bowlers best performances came ? Shami I think ripped through WI in his very first series IIRC at home ( picked 9 in a match ? ), Ishant was in MoM against Aus at home , Zaheer in the past was one of the biggest reason why we won at home . Even if go back even Srinaths best came at home .

As mentioned by others Indian pacers have always performed better at home. Shami was reverse swinging in his first series.

Thanks, I do know about Indian pacers reverse swinging but haven't seen this kind of involvement by pacers in India for atleast last 6 years.

JustArrived the match of Ishant was in 2008 and Zaheer again,the time frame of 2008-2010 is at best ignored as imho it was our best time with all players in top form.

 

[Statsman]

Thanks, I do know about Indian pacers reverse swinging but haven't seen this kind of involvement by pacers in India for atleast last 6 years.

JustArrived the match of Ishant was in 2008 and Zaheer again,the time frame of 2008-2010 is at best ignored as imho it was our best time with all players in top form.

Can't ignore any time period because our players were in top form.

Ashwin and Jaḍeja are in top form right now. Can we ignore this time period too?

 

[JaDed]

Can't ignore any time period because our players were in top form.

Ashwin and Jaḍeja are in top form right now. Can we ignore this time period too?

Spinners have always been good in India,meant w.r.t pacers and their performance.Pacers in India have had less involvement during several phases of our cricket.Good during Dada-Kumble bad during Azhar,Dhoni but that's only my view one can easily say Srinath played under Azhar but so did Venkatesh Prassad.

 

[Sidilicious]

Its not just about the result or how our bowlers have been bowling.

Its about how Virat Kohli has given test cricket a huge boost, which the Indian team lacked for a while under Dhoni.

 

[Statsman]

Spinners have always been good in India,meant w.r.t pacers and their performance.Pacers in India have had less involvement during several phases of our cricket.Good during Dada-Kumble bad during Azhar,Dhoni but that's only my view one can easily say Srinath played under Azhar but so did Venkatesh Prassad.

Small diff. Spinners were good in India. Now due to various reasons they are super duper exceptional. Iirc Bhajji averages close to 29 at home while both Ashwin and Jaḍeja average about 20. Latter two are performing even better than Kumble. Count the number of 5fers and 10fers Ashwin has and compare with the past Indian spinners.

 

[contraman]

Virat Kohli signs 110 crore (15 Million USD ) Puma sponsorship deal

"Virat Kohli has become the first Indian sportsperson to sign a Rs 100-crore endorsement deal with a single brand. The Indian cricket captain has struck an eight-year deal with sports lifestyle brand Puma worth about Rs 110 crore.

Kohli is now set to join the likes of Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, and footballers Thierry Henry and Oliver Giroud - among others - as a global ambassador for the brand."



"Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni have been in the Rs 100-crore club through multi-year contract with sports and talent management agencies, which in turn brought a plethora of brands for endorsement deals.

In his 24-year-long international career, market estimates suggest Tendulkar endorsed over 50 brands for an accumulated fee in excess of Rs 500 crore. Prominent among those deals were the Rs 30-crore plus with WorldTel in 1995 which was renewed in 2001 at more than double the value.
In 2006, Tendulkar inked a contract with advertising firm Saatchi and Saatchi's Iconix reportedly valued at around Rs 175 crore for three years."


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...crore-deal-with-puma/articleshow/57243206.cms

 

[Belawal2014]

He's earned it.

 

[Sin Nombre]

If he can lead India to a CT win, those numbers are going to explode. He is still considered a "choker" in some domestic circles.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

1% mujhe dede yaar

 

[Pantani]

He certainly has played a big part in it, but more credit should go to BCCI for organising tests in cities that don't see much if any international cricket. That has helped fill out the stadiums. Kohli is also the best and most iconic player India have had since Sachin in tests. The star power he has must also bring back the fans.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

He is still considered a "choker" in some domestic circles.

Where? In pockets where people watch only IPL?

A player who has a stupendous record while chasing in international matches is termed quite the opposite of a choker.

 

[LastManstanding]

He certainly has played a big part in it, but more credit should go to BCCI for organising tests in cities that don't see much if any international cricket. That has helped fill out the stadiums. Kohli is also the best and most iconic player India have had since Sachin in tests. The star power he has must also bring back the fans.

Unlike ECB, CA and CSA BCCI didnt have the concept of home season before. Credit to them for making an effort for that during Diwali season. It has certainly helped.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Where? In pockets where people watch only IPL?

A player who has a stupendous record while chasing in international matches is termed quite the opposite of a choker.

I was perusing indiacricketfans on the weekend and saw some of that.

A lot of casual fans only follow the major international tournaments and IPL so not unsurprising either.

 

[Statsman]

Seems to be following Dhoni's blueprint here.

 

[vandokkum]

Great to see so much interest in test cricket, it's crazy India with such a small population has packed stadiums for test matches.

 

[Saj]

Largely empty stadium today.

When I turned the tv on I thought I was watching a Test match in Dubai.

 

[ShoonyaSifar]

Largely empty stadium today.

When I turned the tv on I thought I was watching a Test match in Dubai.

Today was counting of votes for local municipal corporation in Pune, hence large police deployment . Expecting 10000+ for next 3-4 days