So does anyone have any doubts that Virat Kohli will be a better Test captain than MS Dhoni?

[sensible-indian-fan]

The thread title says it all.

My disgust towards Dhoni the test captain is well known.

Your views please.

 

[Savak]

A change in a new direction is always welcome.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Captains go stale.

Dhoni the test captain went stale a long time back.

This whole tragic hero stuck with a garbage team angle is so frustrating.

The amount of mess ups he does in Tests is staggering.

 

[junaid.ahmed]

what he has done apart of his own innings

indeed his centuries in both innings are true classy but using the bowlers is another thing which captain has to do

 

[Noobosauras]

what he has done apart of his own innings

indeed his centuries in both innings are true classy but using the bowlers is another thing which captain has to do

you want him to bowl?

 

[jusarrived]

Plese enlighten me what Virat did different from Dhoni as a captain ?

We lost close test matches in SA and NZ too . We couldnt pick 20 wickets here .

The batting was good for us in SA and NZ too & for the first 2 tests in Eng .

 

[Mamoon]

Early to say.

For me, a good captain also needs to learn defensive approach as well.

Kohli looks brilliant when he's on the charge, but can he respond well when he's on the mat?

Is fighting fire with fire the only solution?

These are the questions he will have to answer going forward.

 

[junaid.ahmed]

you want him to bowl?

wasnt the bold decision made by clarke routed you to almost win....

 

[Smbhayi]

I have.. what's good for him is that he going win.. don't think he tactically good.. For example Varun ahead of Ishanth

 

[mosh101]

Kohli showerd maturity at post match presentation !

His performance with the bat is phenomenal which makes him lead by example !

 

[JaDed]

As a captain he is was rubbish in 1st innings the only reason he is not getting a slack is because of his very good personal innings.

 

[battler]

Great great innings by kohli and good speech at the presentation.
Touched the heart strings there.

 

[IndianWillow]

Kohli can leading by example with the bat if things are not going the teams way. Dhoni can't even do that, outside India. Even if there isn't an iota of difference between Kohli and Dhoni in tactical terms, Kohli is still the better choice - he is young, he is raw and untested, he is aggressive, he is a good test batsman and potential ATG material. Dhoni is just a nag now.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Simple.

Kohli backs quality pacers.
Instills the fighting attitude which we didn't see so much recently (captain can do that to teams).

Dhoni's field placing and pacer workload management is the worst I have seen. I have written so much about it that I am tired.

Kohli too screwed up with the selection for which he deserves blame (if he was the main guy picking them). If not, then fine. We are here talking about him being better than Dhoni as captain. Not being some Clarke level captain.

I see a future with Kohli. Needs to work on his attitude in the field though. Aggression is fine but can't annoyed and shout at players.
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] - The signs are good. He can mature. Lots to learn I guess.

 

[Dee1990]

Kohli all the way, I never want to see Dhoni as test captain ever again.

 

[Laal]

One test is not enough to say that he's tactically better than Dhoni. But his aggression is a breath of fresh air, as long as it doesn't cloud his judgement.

 

[style_guru]

Captaincy is not just what we see a guy do on the field, it's more about nurturing a team, it's about planning & then putting those plans under execution on a long term basis. It's about inculcating the self belief into the players. It's about making those XI guys believe that they can win. Most importantly it's about learning from your mistakes, admitting them, & then finding ways by which those can be rectified.

My biggest complain against MSD is that he is too thick skinned, both from outside & within. While it's good on occasions, but much harmful when we brush all the problems under the carpet & put a deaf ear towards all criticism. MSD cannot be held responsible alone for the 8-0 drubbing, but he can be blamed for not acknowledging his shortcomings as a leader. He seems to resign to the notion that this Indian team cannot win abroad & therefore seems to be just passing through the motions. His stubborn backing towards some players through thick & thin has hurt this team. His tactics are good for the LOI's where he just sits back & waits for the other team to make mistakes while on the field, as he knows India has the batting to cover up for the poor bowling. But tests are a different ball game & with every passing day, the self belief of players is getting weaker. So much so that the team which even the mighty Aussies of the past found difficult to beat in their own background (India), have started losing to teams (England) which are traditionally not known to play spin that well. This Indian team under MSD while on tours abroad used to turn up just for the sake of it.

A person who cannot accept his mistakes, can never learn from his mistakes.


As for Virat, I wouldn't read much into this game as the team he was leading is still under the realms of MSD. The squad for this series was selected with inputs from MSD. The mental scars from the recent overseas drubbings would still be fresh in the minds of players. Also the sub-conscious mind of players would not have accepted part tike skipper Virat as the leader & also his style of play, as they would've been used to having played under MSD's clueless mode.

I would give Virat a full series before judging him. Even if he turns out to be tactically poor, I guess he would at the least have the quality of accepting & learning from his mistakes. That alone would put him ahead of MSD in tests.

 

[AZ]

let's see how he and India fare on a tougher batting wicket to see the real difference.

 

[IndianWillow]

Captaincy is not just what we see a guy do on the field, it's more about nurturing a team, it's about planning & then putting those plans under execution on a long term basis. It's about inculcating the self belief into the players. It's about making those XI guys believe that they can win. Most importantly it's about learning from your mistakes, admitting them, & then finding ways by which those can be rectified.

My biggest complain against MSD is that he is too thick skinned, both from outside & within. While it's good on occasions, but much harmful when we brush all the problems under the carpet & put a deaf ear towards all criticism. MSD cannot be held responsible alone for the 8-0 drubbing, but he can be blamed for not acknowledging his shortcomings as a leader. He seems to resign to the notion that this Indian team cannot win abroad & therefore seems to be just passing through the motions. His stubborn backing towards some players through thick & thin has hurt this team. His tactics are good for the LOI's where he just sits back & waits for the other team to make mistakes while on the field, as he knows India has the batting to cover up for the poor bowling. But tests are a different ball game & with every passing day, the self belief of players is getting weaker. So much so that the team which even the mighty Aussies of the past found difficult to beat in their own background (India), have started losing to teams (England) which are traditionally not known to play spin that well. This Indian team under MSD while on tours abroad used to turn up just for the sake of it.

A person who cannot accept his mistakes, can never learn from his mistakes.


As for Virat, I wouldn't read much into this game as the team he was leading is still under the realms of MSD. The squad for this series was selected with inputs from MSD. The mental scars from the recent overseas drubbings would still be fresh in the minds of players. Also the sub-conscious mind of players would not have accepted part tike skipper Virat as the leader & also his style of play, as they would've been used to having played under MSD's clueless mode.

I would give Virat a full series before judging him. Even if he turns out to be tactically poor, I guess he would at the least have the quality of accepting & learning from his mistakes. That alone would put him ahead of MSD in tests.

8-0 was more due to a poor team rather than Dhoni's captaincy. No other Indian captain would have saved any of those matches, the magnitudes of the defeats make any other result improbable under another captain. But that is not the problem. Dhoni has no accountability in India. He continued to captain India in tests inspite of one defeat after defeat, because of his ODI record. No captain should be allowed to continue in office after two successive whitewashes, in which virtually every match was a massive innings defeat. Dhoni survived because of nepotism in India, Dhoni survived because he had Srini as Godfather. This is why many Indians dislike Dhoni the captain - not because he was directly responsible for all those defeats.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

A captain like him can certainly inspire the rest to perform much better. MSD is tactically better though I'd have to say.

 

[McGarrett]

Assuming we're not talking about Kohli the batsman but Kohli the captain, What did he exactly do different from what MSD would do ? Somebody mentions about backing the pacers. But did he get the best outta 'em by using 'em cleverly ?? or did he employ some tactics and innovative field settings to fox the Aussies ?

 

[test_fan]

Anyone would be a better test captain than Dhoni. He destroyed the Indian team. By far the worst test match captain I have seen in my life.

 

[test_fan]

MSD is tactically better though I'd have to say.

In test cricket outside India? You are not serious are you? He is tactically the worst test captain I have seen in my life.

 

[test_fan]

Assuming we're not talking about Kohli the batsman but Kohli the captain, What did he exactly do different from what MSD would do ? Somebody mentions about backing the pacers. But did he get the best outta 'em by using 'em cleverly ?? or did he employ some tactics and innovative field settings to fox the Aussies ?

For starters, he did not let the game drift like Dhoni does when the Aussies were batting and kept trying. On this track every fast bowler struggled, even the Aussies. India lacked a genuine spinner. But eventually the positive attitude of Kohli would pay off. Dhoni has destroyed the side from the inside, it will take some time to rebuild it.

 

[McGarrett]

For starters, he did not let the game drift like Dhoni does when the Aussies were batting and kept trying. On this track every fast bowler struggled, even the Aussies. India lacked a genuine spinner. But eventually the positive attitude of Kohli would pay off. Dhoni has destroyed the side from the inside, it will take some time to rebuild it.

Lets get one thing clear here, The rain helped India by shaving off about 60 overs from the match. Otherwise India would have lost by a margin of 200 runs. And its Clarke whom should be given the credits for his brave, well-timed declaration to produce a result. So, I don't get this "he did not let the game drift" comment. Aussies weren't in trouble at any stage of the game. They were well in control thru out the match.

 

[test_fan]

Lets get one thing clear here, The rain helped India by shaving off about 60 overs from the match. Otherwise India would have lost by a margin of 200 runs. And its Clarke whom should be given the credits for his brave, well-timed declaration to produce a result. So, I don't get this "he did not let the game drift" comment. Aussies weren't in trouble at any stage of the game. They were well in control thru out the match.

I can show you plenty of examples when rain could not save Dhoni. That is not an excuse for poor captaincy. It is a fact that Kohli, unlike Dhoni kept trying to take wickets. Time and again, Dhoni sits back and spreads the field and let it drift. His captaincy has been cancerous for the Indian test team. I am not talking about the result here. I am talking about the attitude of both the captains, would have said the same thing had India lost it by an innings.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I can show you plenty of examples when rain could not save Dhoni. That is not an excuse for poor captaincy. It is a fact that Kohli, unlike Dhoni kept trying to take wickets. Time and again, Dhoni sits back and spreads the field and let it drift. His captaincy has been cancerous for the Indian test team. I am not talking about the result here. I am talking about the attitude of both the captains, would have said the same thing had India lost it by an innings.

[MENTION=137844]McGarrett[/MENTION] - Dhoni is woeful in Tests as captain.

Being better than Dhoni as captain in Tests does NOT make Kohli a world class captain. It just makes him better than Dhoni.

 

[test_fan]

[MENTION=137844]McGarrett[/MENTION] - Dhoni is woeful in Tests as captain.

The worst I have seen in test cricket, without a shadow of doubt.

 

[McGarrett]

[MENTION=137844]McGarrett[/MENTION] - Dhoni is woeful in Tests as captain.

Being better than Dhoni as captain in Tests does NOT make Kohli a world class captain. It just makes him better than Dhoni.

Dhoni may be a bad skipper . If Kohli is a better captain or even a world class captain, good for him. But I'mjust trying to understand how you guys came to that conclusion after this one match. That's why I asked if Kohli did anything different to what MSD would have done. I kinda feel that its too early to say anything bcoz I didn't see anything special from Kohli as a captain. So, pls help me to understand.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Dhoni may be a bad skipper . If Kohli is a better captain or even a world class captain, good for him. But I'mjust trying to understand how you guys came to that conclusion after this one match. That's why I asked if Kohli did anything different to what MSD would have done. I kinda feel that its too early to say anything bcoz I didn't see anything special from Kohli as a captain. So, pls help me to understand.

Yes. I didn't say a word about tactics.

Kohli is yet to be tested tactically.

But I have said repeatedly in the past that we Indians are NOT looking for some tactical genius in Tests. Just someone who backs pacers, manages pacer workload, picks the right team (which Kohli hasn't done but we don't know how much say he had in it), etc.

We are just looking for someone who doesn't screw up even if he isn't great. Kohli I think fits the bill. Plus his aggressive attitude is rubbing onto the team. Which I find is great.

 

[Saurav]

Dhoni is no benchmark.Anyone would captain better in Tests

I am dissapointed that Kohli went with 4 bowlers just like Dhoni and somehow kept Aaron back in 2nd innings.Not good signs.

Being slightly better than Dhoni isnt gonna take us anywhere.Kohli has time to improve but he has got to walk the talk on aggressive and ruthlessness.

 

[desi_launda]

the most dumb decision was to pick Karn over Ashwin.How the hell does he rate that garbage bowler

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Beggars can't be choosers.

First step - I want Dhoni replaced by someone better. Mostly want to replace the ATTITUDE he instills in the team.
Second step - Criticize the new skipper who is better than Dhoni.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

the most dumb decision was to pick Karn over Ashwin.How the hell does he rate that garbage bowler

It was made due to the blind logic that leggies are always better than offies irrespective of the context.

Another blind logic is Bhuvi cos he is dependent on swing won't do well in Aus so we need to go with Shami instead.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I know Bhuvi is injured. Just made a point.

 

[Saurav]

Simple.

Kohli backs quality pacers.
Instills the fighting attitude which we didn't see so much recently (captain can do that to teams).

Dhoni's field placing and pacer workload management is the worst I have seen. I have written so much about it that I am tired.

Kohli too screwed up with the selection for which he deserves blame (if he was the main guy picking them). If not, then fine. We are here talking about him being better than Dhoni as captain. Not being some Clarke level captain.

I see a future with Kohli. Needs to work on his attitude in the field though. Aggression is fine but can't annoyed and shout at players.
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] - The signs are good. He can mature. Lots to learn I guess.

Yadav isnt a quality pacer and one played are?

and we fought under Dhoni in firsts in SA,NZ,Eng too.Sustaining it is problem.We need to see Kohli more if he can change that.Hopefully Dhoni remains unfit

 

[Nikhil_cric]

While I don't rate MSD as a test captain, we need to understand that kohli's approach will only be successful to a certain extent as long as the quality of our bowling attack is good.

Aaron and Shami were far too expensive and Ishant did not have much penetration. But the main difference was Lyon's effectiveness in comparison to Karn's bowling but I fail to see what difference ashwin would have made here.

While the 4 seamer strategy is generally not ideal for an Adelaide pitch, I daresay we should have hone with a four pronged pace attack with vijay and rohit making up the overs.

Batting wise, Dhawan needs to be replaced as his technique and temperament are both not up to the mark. KL Rahul should have been considered IMO.

 

[Saurav]

the most dumb decision was to pick Karn over Ashwin.How the hell does he rate that garbage bowler

even now he said that Karn did well in his debut match.

In a way I'm glad hes not captaining as Ashwin might come back and we have better balance

 

[leatherface58]

To be honest, Kohli had just one test. Win or lose, there was no pressure on him cause he knew MSD would be back from the 2nd test. As a result, he could go for broke. Even MS at the start of his career looked a much better option than Kumble as he took more chances.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Yadav isnt a quality pacer and one played are?

and we fought under Dhoni in firsts in SA,NZ,Eng too.Sustaining it is problem.We need to see Kohli more if he can change that.Hopefully Dhoni remains unfit

You misinterpreted my post bro.

I was saying in general. Kohli backed Aaron and Umesh in the 5 match ODI series against Lanka.

Team selection was bad (and if he chose it he deserves blame) but in general Kohli backs out and out pacers more. That's undeniable.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

To be honest, Kohli had just one test. Win or lose, there was no pressure on him cause he knew MSD would be back from the 2nd test. As a result, he could go for broke. Even MS at the start of his career looked a much better option than Kumble as he took more chances.

Yes. That's true.

But captains go stale and Dhoni went stale a long time back.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

]even now he said that Karn did well in his debut match.[/B]

In a way I'm glad hes not captaining as Ashwin might come back and we have better balance

Press conference bro.

Dhoni said the same thing and then dropped Jaddu in England.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

even now he said that Karn did well in his debut match.

In a way I'm glad hes not captaining as Ashwin might come back and we have better balance

Press conference bro.

Dhoni said the same thing and then dropped Jaddu in England.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Hope Yadav plays in place of Shami at Adelaide.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Can't say if he'll make a great captain, like Mamoon said, you need to learn the art of defensive captaincy as well. But as a neutral (sort of) I love the way Kohli bats, and that sort of attacking captaincy is what makes people like me want to watch a game even if it doesn't involve my team.

 

[Saurav]

You misinterpreted my post bro.

I was saying in general. Kohli backed Aaron and Umesh in the 5 match ODI series against Lanka.

Team selection was bad (and if he chose it he deserves blame) but in general Kohli backs out and out pacers more. That's undeniable.

no it isnt.Backing comes in question when players do badly.Umesh and Aaron were picked because they did well in WI series and Eng Tests respectively(under Dhoni btw).Aaron got injured and Umesh didnt give any chance for Kohli to drop him anyway.

There isn't a single instance where he backed them when they did badly.Dropped Aaron after one bad game in Asia Cup despite Bhuvi doing consistently bad and even in IPL,Aaron was dropped after 2-3 bad games even though he did well in UAE.

There was no reason to omit an in form and confident Umesh if he actually back out and out pacers

And yes,hes the captain,so he chose it.He is responsible for it only

 

[msdfan]

Lets see how many games Kohli ll win OS after being captain full time, wat would captain do wn our club bowlers bowl with no brains

 

[Abhilash93]

It was made due to the blind logic that leggies are always better than offies irrespective of the context.

Another blind logic is Bhuvi cos he is dependent on swing won't do well in Aus so we need to go with Shami instead.

He said in PC - Karn was bowling better than other spinners in nets.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

He said in PC - Karn was bowling better than other spinners in nets.

Wow.....if its true and not just a statement to make Karn feel better before being dropped, it looks like we are screwed.

 

[pakistani pride]

Early to say.

For me, a good captain also needs to learn defensive approach as well.

Kohli looks brilliant when he's on the charge, but can he respond well when he's on the mat?

Is fighting fire with fire the only solution?

These are the questions he will have to answer going forward.

He was on the mat for 2 days when aus were smashing his bowers all over the place.
Was he able to captain them to wickets. NO

he personally played a superb match but folks getting too excited.

 

[Buffet]

Captaincy is not only about an aggressive mindset. Having said that, Indians should give him an extended run to see if he matures into a good captain.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

He was on the mat for 2 days when aus were smashing his bowers all over the place.
Was he able to captain them to wickets. NO

he personally played a superb match but folks getting too excited.

As I mentioned literally so many times,

This is NOT a reflection of Kohli's ability but Dhoni's inability.

 

[MMHS]

What a player!! What a great counter puncher!! A champion batsman. I always like this type of batsman - run against the wind. Lara was like this (but he was unique of his own class, VK still has to run lot, lot more miles).

Long, since long, I saw a player counter attacking while facing the odds in AUS. This is almost as good an innings as Azhar's 107 at same venue 23 years ago. I thought, if anyone can break ST's ODI century record, it 'll be VK - I believe, he can do that for Internationals as well. However, chances are low, because VK 'll never come close to matching one of SRT's best assets - selfishness & putting personal agenda over team.

@ SIF - I believe you asked me a question few months back, who should be India's next Captain - hope, now you got the rational of my choice.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

What a player!! What a great counter puncher!! A champion batsman. I always like this type of batsman - run against the wind. Lara was like this (but he was unique of his own class, VK still has to run lot, lot more miles).

Long, since long, I saw a player counter attacking while facing the odds in AUS. This is almost as good an innings as Azhar's 107 at same venue 23 years ago. I thought, if anyone can break ST's ODI century record, it 'll be VK - I believe, he can do that for Internationals as well. However, chances are low, because VK 'll never come close to matching one of SRT's best assets - selfishness & putting personal agenda over team.

@ SIF - I believe you asked me a question few months back, who should be India's next Captain - hope, now you got the rational of my choice.

Yeah he is our best bet.

Whether he is world class or not doesn't matter. He is our best bet for Test captain.

 

[BlackThunder]

The passion that he showed for his country should be enough to bring shame to Dhoni. If Dhoni has any self respect he would step aside as our test captain and hand it over to Kohli with dignity.

 

[Thivagar]

So far he looks better than Dhoni but I have to see him in at least 2 more matches before coming to a conclusion.

 

[Saurav]

Yeah he is our best bet.

Whether he is world class or not doesn't matter. He is our best bet for Test captain.

I still feel Pujara CAN be a better choice.He has done it at A level and by all accounts he was very good in both batting and captaincy,specially in regards to handling of pacers.

However Kohli is certain to be captain.I'm just happy it hasnt affected his batting and infact improved it.

 

[IndianWillow]

The passion that he showed for his country should be enough to bring shame to Dhoni. If Dhoni has any self respect he would step aside as our test captain and hand it over to Kohli with dignity.

oxymoron!

 

[MMHS]

Yeah he is our best bet.

Whether he is world class or not doesn't matter. He is our best bet for Test captain.

However, for this Test, I believe MS would have got out with a draw. That too without considering any additional batting contribution by him over Saha.

Aussies were not competing with Indians here, they were competing against clock. VK is aggressive, more appropriate is, he isn't good at defensive tactics. With this attack, he allowed AUS to score 800+ at almost 4.5 and lost the match in last half & hour, despite half a day of rain. MS is a master of denying batsmen hitting boundaries & choke the RR - he would have made AUS consume at least one more hour before declaring, in both innings & could have edge out a cowardly draw. VK fought like a lion, but at the end of the day, it ended in defeat.

On "Result wicket", VK is much better Test Captain than MS; but MS is one of the, if not THE best ever ODI/LO Captain.

 

[Random Aussie]

Assuming we're not talking about Kohli the batsman but Kohli the captain, What did he exactly do different from what MSD would do ? Somebody mentions about backing the pacers. But did he get the best outta 'em by using 'em cleverly ?? or did he employ some tactics and innovative field settings to fox the Aussies ?

Well for a start he didn't put half his fielders on the boundary after we hit one. And he's better than Cook already. Looked decent in the first stint, any fears it would affect his batting are gone.

Dhoni has been jaded as Test captain for a long time now, he is resigned to cycle of win at home lose away.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

However, for this Test, I believe MS would have got out with a draw. That too without considering any additional batting contribution by him over Saha.

Aussies were not competing with Indians here, they were competing against clock. VK is aggressive, more appropriate is, he isn't good at defensive tactics. With this attack, he allowed AUS to score 800+ at almost 4.5 and lost the match in last half & hour, despite half a day of rain. MS is a master of denying batsmen hitting boundaries & choke the RR - he would have made AUS consume at least one more hour before declaring, in both innings & could have edge out a cowardly draw. VK fought like a lion, but at the end of the day, it ended in defeat.

On "Result wicket", VK is much better Test Captain than MS; but MS is one of the, if not THE best ever ODI/LO Captain.

I really doubt it bro.

I can't name one test match where captain MSD squeezed a draw when the opposition was rampaging.

In ODIs its different.

In Tests, almost every single one of his tactics overseas flops.

If it were Dhoni, we would have been asked to go for the draw, our batters would have tried to dead bat the bowlers and would have got all out near tea to a soul crushing loss.

 

[ali2220]

Kholi can easily be a much better captain than Misbah. PPl shouldn't insult him by comparing him with Dhoni the test captain.

 

[IndianWillow]

However, for this Test, I believe MS would have got out with a draw. That too without considering any additional batting contribution by him over Saha.

Aussies were not competing with Indians here, they were competing against clock. VK is aggressive, more appropriate is, he isn't good at defensive tactics. With this attack, he allowed AUS to score 800+ at almost 4.5 and lost the match in last half & hour, despite half a day of rain. MS is a master of denying batsmen hitting boundaries & choke the RR - he would have made AUS consume at least one more hour before declaring, in both innings & could have edge out a cowardly draw. VK fought like a lion, but at the end of the day, it ended in defeat.

On "Result wicket", VK is much better Test Captain than MS; but MS is one of the, if not THE best ever ODI/LO Captain.

No, Dhoni's ability to draw is not what is he is famous for, when he leads India outside SC. He is famous for historic whitewashes instead. India would have collapsed for <200 under Dhoni, the last three years under Dhoni would prove that.

 

[Hussain Ayaz]

Too early to say..
Dhoni has won India Champions Trophy, World Cup T20, And World Cup 2011.
Kohli has to do the same for India.

 

[Abhilash93]

Too early to say..
Dhoni has won India Champions Trophy, World Cup T20, And World Cup 2011.
Kohli has to do the same for India.

And no. 1 Tests.
Yes, Kohli has a long way to go.

 

[adarsh_bang]

Hand over the reins to Virat and give him time. ..he will create a fighting unit knowing the kind of attacking mindset he seems to possess..
between virat and msd it yas to be virat..that is a no brainer. In odi's msd is a different force altogether.
But virat has to be in charge when msd hangs his boots.
after lifting the world cup 2015 of course

 

[MMHS]

I think, MS is getting a bit more than what he should. It's true that he won away series in ENG, NZ & WI. It's not that he started poor & then won these series, it's rather other way round. It can't be that someone lost his tactics after few years of Captaincy.

May be, it's a case of confidence. In last few years Indian bowling has dented his confidence & he is reluctant to attack. I am sure, I saw him attacking SAF & keep pressure on way to a famous victory at Durban after SAF beat IND at the cost of 4 wickets in total. I think, it started to go wrong from Lords 2011, when in a overcast day, KP hammer Indian attack for 200+. After that, I have hardly seen MS going for all out attack.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Rahul was the captain when we won the series in England in 2007.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Captaincy wise its too early to say, but Kohli's presence brings a certain excitement unlike a boring dull Dhoni. I think the biggest advantage if Kohli becomes captain is he will induct genuine fast bowlers into the side.

 

[MMHS]

Rahul was the captain when we won the series in England in 2007.

My mistake, but I still think, MS went defensive from lack of confidence for this attack.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

My mistake, but I still think, MS went defensive from lack of confidence for this attack.

Could be. He is stale now.

These days he doesn't even try properly.

 

[Electron]

The day Dhoni handed the final over to Joginder Sharma was the day it should have become obvious to all that Dhoni was not a great fielding-captain. I have no doubts that Kohli will prove to be a far better captain in all forms.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

The day Dhoni handed the final over to Joginder Sharma was the day it should have become obvious to all that Dhoni was not a great fielding-captain. I have no doubts that Kohli will prove to be a far better captain in all forms.

I think that was a pretty good move consider Misbah destroyed Bhajji and we had no other options and Jogi had very good figures uptill that point.

Still we needed a Misbah gift to win the cup.

But yeah....his love for trundlers...chooses them first and if they flop, then goes for real pacers.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

*considering

Mods when will you bring back the edit feature?

Its killing us.
[MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]

 

[IndianWillow]

I think, MS is getting a bit more than what he should. It's true that he won away series in ENG, NZ & WI. It's not that he started poor & then won these series, it's rather other way round. It can't be that someone lost his tactics after few years of Captaincy.

May be, it's a case of confidence. In last few years Indian bowling has dented his confidence & he is reluctant to attack. I am sure, I saw him attacking SAF & keep pressure on way to a famous victory at Durban after SAF beat IND at the cost of 4 wickets in total. I think, it started to go wrong from Lords 2011, when in a overcast day, KP hammer Indian attack for 200+. After that, I have hardly seen MS going for all out attack.

I don't know whether you watch India matches live. But if you watch a lot of India matches, one major flaw (among many others) of Dhoni becomes obvious. The scoreboards don't show this. Dhoni has the habit of taking well set wicket taking bowlers out of the attack when a wicket has just fallen and a new batsman is at the crease. You know what this means? India rarely take back to back wickets. The new comer at the crease often does not face the bowler who is in form and has purchased a wicket recently. Dhoni commits the same mistake with alarming consistency. This strategy is not good even from a defensive approach. I am yet to understand why Dhoni repeats this strategy again and again. Yes, he lost his tactics after the English tour of 2011.

 

[MMHS]

I don't know whether you watch India matches live. But if you watch a lot of India matches, one major flaw (among many others) of Dhoni becomes obvious. The scoreboards don't show this. Dhoni has the habit of taking well set wicket taking bowlers out of the attack when a wicket has just fallen and a new batsman is at the crease. You know what this means? India rarely take back to back wickets. The new comer at the crease often does not face the bowler who is in form and has purchased a wicket recently. Dhoni commits the same mistake with alarming consistency. This strategy is not good even from a defensive approach. I am yet to understand why Dhoni repeats this strategy again and again. Yes, he lost his tactics after the English tour of 2011.

I watch most of Indian matches.

MSD is an excellent "Defensive/restrictive" Captain. I think, preserving best/wicket taking bowler is a ploy that works brilliantly for him in LOs. Normally, in ODI, captains bring wicket takers for short spells - get a wicket & force lot of dots.

May be MS doesn't enjoy Test any more. His List A average is almost 15 better than FC average, which is rare. Ideally, he should retire for Test (May be after playing 100 Tests) & focus to continue till 2019 WC, may be even 2023 at home.

 

[siddharth]

No Kohli is over aggressive and Dhoni over defensive.We need some one between these two..With s**t bowlers one cannot be aggresisve,can't balme Dhoni for being defensive.

 

[Tusker]

hahaha .... Sirf Ek Test match (haarne ) ke baad ... did Kohli also make best use of early moisture ? :akthar

 

[Tusker]

hahaha .... Sirf Ek Test match (haarne ) ke baad ... did Kohli also make best use of early moisture ?

 

[mithun_minhas]

Don't why everyone is blaming Indian fast bowlers. Yes they are expensive.

But if you look at it, even Mitch JOhnson was expensive and looked average at best. Ryan Harris looked like a part time trundler at times. Siddle was the worst of the lot.

The pitch was dreadful for fast bowling. It had a bit of bounce and batsmen who could play drives and pull shots well made merry on it.

Captains were basically clueless. Only Lyon exploited the bounce and he was rewarded. He had the right kind of bowling for the pitch.

With MSD and may be Aswin in place of Karn, India could have even won the match.

Imagine 90 runs to go and Kohli and MSD were at the crease with Ashwin to follow. India would have probably won the match.

When Rohit got out, I knew India are done. Saha followed by Karn and others are ot good enough to even score 20 runs.