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Steve Smith, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Virat Kohli: Who will be the best captain out of the 4?

Hasan123

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We all know about how good batsmen they are. But one thing we never talk about is how they will deal with capatincy and who will be the best one.

We have seen that star players in the past struggle with captincy such as kp, Sachin, and :amla.

Discuss which of the 4 u think will do well with captincy and if either of the 4 may struggle with captincy.
 
I think kohli needs to improve tactically in LOI as in IPL he has got some things wrong.
 
Williamson seems like a calm head and smith is carrying on from micheal Clarke it seems, will be interested to see how root does when he takes over. Disappointed that he does not want to bat at 3.
 
So far Williamson has impressed us with his brave and imaginative captaincy in WT20. Smith has seemed a bit of a reserved captain unlike Clarke. Kohli has shown good signs but not enough to leave us in awe.

18 tests coming up this season, it will be great to see him evolve as a leader especially because he's shown willingness to change and adapt a lot different than MSD's stubborn approach.
 
So far Williamson has impressed us with his brave and imaginative captaincy in WT20. Smith has seemed a bit of a reserved captain unlike Clarke. Kohli has shown good signs but not enough to leave us in awe.

18 tests coming up this season, it will be great to see him evolve as a leader especially because he's shown willingness to change and adapt a lot different than MSD's stubborn approach.

Agree on Williamson he is so calm as well. Smith doesn't show his emotions yes but seems very good tactically and is aggressive as well I think he will improve. Kohli will be fine in tests because he will be postive I don't think he will be as successful in LOI though
 
Williamson will be great in shorter format. I am more excited about Kohli because he will bring to table what Test Cricket has been lacking since the days of Aussie domination. That fearless winning attitude is infectious, and I have already seen Indian bowlers look completely different when they play for Kohli.
 
Williamson, I guess his batting will go down after few months of captaincy but would be a good skipper.

Kohli and Root will be good with bat but might be avg in overall captaincy success %.

Smith is one who seems to be handling both well ATM.
 
Williamson will be great in shorter format. I am more excited about Kohli because he will bring to table what Test Cricket has been lacking since the days of Aussie domination. That fearless winning attitude is infectious, and I have already seen Indian bowlers look completely different when they play for Kohli.

That's because we have played on some of the most helpful surfaces for bowlers under Kohli's captaincy. One occasion when his team was under the pump (Chandimal hitting out for Sri Lanka), he appeared clueless though that was too early in his captaincy. Much tougher tests await Kohli on flat tracks, on tracks where spinners may not do much. And with the home season of 18-19 tests , Kohli will have the perfect settling in period before the away tours.
 
That's because we have played on some of the most helpful surfaces for bowlers under Kohli's captaincy. One occasion when his team was under the pump (Chandimal hitting out for Sri Lanka), he appeared clueless though that was too early in his captaincy. Much tougher tests await Kohli on flat tracks, on tracks where spinners may not do much. And with the home season of 18-19 tests , Kohli will have the perfect settling in period before the away tours.

Umesh and Varun have looked more confident under Kohli. He might be immature as a captain but the guy is aggressive in thinking. He plays to win and this attitude rubs onto other players as well including the bowlers.
 
Umesh and Varun have looked more confident under Kohli. He might be immature as a captain but the guy is aggressive in thinking. He plays to win and this attitude rubs onto other players as well including the bowlers.

Umesh averages 46 in tests under Kohli (31 under Dhoni)
Aaron averges 48 in tests under Kohli (56 under Dhoni)

Aaron is bowling like a 15 year old under Kohli at RCB.

Not sure what confidence you see. As I said, tougher tests await Kohli. He's done brilliantly so far but in familiar conditions.
 
It's amazing to think how these 4 are super star batsman and will be good captains to and it these 4 teams are going to be top 4 for atleast next 5 to 7 years, and now compare that with our super start batsman and super star captain and you can know everything which is wrong with pak cricket team, best ranking we can hope is number 5, and have zero chance of winning any major trophy during this period.
 
I guess poms are making big mistake, they should give LOIs captaincy to Root ASAP, and it will not only groom root as captain for two major home tournaments i mean CT & WC but will aslo allow morgan to concentrate fully on his batting form, and than cook can take over test captaincy when cook will retire after next ashes. And morgan isn't great captain either.
 
I guess poms are making big mistake, they should give LOIs captaincy to Root ASAP, and it will not only groom root as captain for two major home tournaments i mean CT & WC but will aslo allow morgan to concentrate fully on his batting form, and than cook can take over test captaincy when cook will retire after next ashes. And morgan isn't great captain either.

As an English supporter I rate Morgans captaincy quite highly personally and probably up there alongside Collingwood as one of the best limited overs captain weve had since 2000 in my view. Always seems very situationally aware and won't visibly panic when somethings gone wrong. Has also been a major part in leading the team from a very tough time through go one which is and will continue to be hopefully very prosperous.
 
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Smith is tactically brilliant captain. He has shown immense potential and seem to have perfect proportion of attack and conservativeness.

Kohli will be good to amazing in test, but he is too animated to win the big momemta in LOIs. The pallor on his face when things doesn't go his way is not something you associate with great leaders.


Have to see, more of kane Williamson & joe root to form a opinion about these guys.
 
Umesh and Varun have looked more confident under Kohli. He might be immature as a captain but the guy is aggressive in thinking. He plays to win and this attitude rubs onto other players as well including the bowlers.

Yh I agree he might not be the best tactically but kohli postive attitude will mean India win more matches than they will lose
 
Smith is tactically brilliant captain. He has shown immense potential and seem to have perfect proportion of attack and conservativeness.

Kohli will be good to amazing in test, but he is too animated to win the big momemta in LOIs. The pallor on his face when things doesn't go his way is not something you associate with great leaders.


Have to see, more of kane Williamson & joe root to form a opinion about these guys.

Agreed on smith he has the perfect balance
 
All are future all-time greats and have the potential to be successful captains.

While other teams are being led by players like Kohli, Smith, Williamson and soon Root, Sarfraz is likely to be our long-term captain across formats.

This sums up how we are leagues below other teams.
 
All are future all-time greats and have the potential to be successful captains.

While other teams are being led by players like Kohli, Smith, Williamson and soon Root, Sarfraz is likely to be our long-term captain across formats.

This sums up how we are leagues below other teams.

Mamoon bhai hopefully barbar improves and he is a regular in all formats than he could take over captain. Sarfaraz could be a good capatin but he may not be suited for LOI in his current role.
 
All are future all-time greats and have the potential to be successful captains.

While other teams are being led by players like Kohli, Smith, Williamson and soon Root, Sarfraz is likely to be our long-term captain across formats.

This sums up how we are leagues below other teams.
Have to agree with you Mamoon, but sad thing is there are not many potentially better options either for one reason or the other, so who would be ur choice if u have it ur way? Babar Azam may be?
 
Mamoon bhai hopefully barbar improves and he is a regular in all formats than he could take over captain. Sarfaraz could be a good capatin but he may not be suited for LOI in his current role.

so you and me fully agree on babar, he is our andhon mein kana raaja
 
Have to agree with you Mamoon, but sad thing is there are not many potentially better options either for one reason or the other, so who would be ur choice if u have it ur way? Babar Azam may be?

I hope barbar keeps working on his game and improving if he does he will have a good chance of being captain.
 
I hope barbar keeps working on his game and improving if he does he will have a good chance of being captain.

the only thing worries me is his akmal genes and fear that fame may get into his head and he may lose hunger and focus.
 
so you and me fully agree on babar, he is our andhon mein kana raaja

If barbar works on his weakness and does not involve himself in controversy I'm certain he will be a very good player for Pakistan in Odis and tests. But he must work hard hopefully authur will help him.
 
the only thing worries me is his akmal genes and fear that fame may get into his head and he may lose hunger and focus.

It is the same thing that worries me this is where Arthur and PCB management need to look after him , but ultimately its upto barbar
 
oh Yar Roary is proud kohli hater, so don't take it serious.

Ohh oryt I think kohli will do well in tests because he will always look to be positive in his decision making its LOI where I see him struggling.
 
He will do well in tests don't u think?

At India, any India captain will do well, credits to their bowlers. Kohli will lead this team to inevitable disaster, both in LOIs and Tests.

Many Indians also believe that he will do a brilliant job, but i don't think so.
 
Its too early to go with any one but since the question asks who will, I would go with Kane as he seems to be a tactically stronger and more brave captain.But we are yet to see more of them in various conditions, against various oppositions and various situations.So Kane is still not the final call as of now for me..
 
Not Steve Smith tbh. He separated one of the dream opening pair Finch and Warner by demoting Warner and dropping Finch
 
At India, any India captain will do well, credits to their bowlers. Kohli will lead this team to inevitable disaster, both in LOIs and Tests.

Many Indians also believe that he will do a brilliant job, but i don't think so.

Look at how he did in Australia he nearly won them a test they were unlucky to lose that match. Big test is coming for kohli in next year or so
 
Look at how he did in Australia he nearly won them a test they were unlucky to lose that match. Big test is coming for kohli in next year or so

Huge difference between nearly won and victory, do you remember why India lost that test? :)

He cant even run a team in IPL, running international team is way way difficult thing.
 
The best thing is all 3 of them are aggressive captains and lead from the front. Can't comment on Root yet as he isn't a captain but there is no reason why he can't succeed. This is my order as Kohli seems to have rejuvenated the Indian pacers like Dhoni never did.

Kohli
Kane
Smith
 
Huge difference between nearly won and victory, do you remember why India lost that test? :)

He cant even run a team in IPL, running international team is way way difficult thing.

IPL he is struggling fair enough but in test matches he is doing well u can't deny that if he beats England and Australia what will you say than
 
IPL he is struggling fair enough but in test matches he is doing well u can't deny that if he beats England and Australia what will you say than

First let him do this wonder, which is very unlikely :) And you still didn't tell me, why India lost that Test match which you were referring to?
 
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No idea about that but if I have to guess, then I would go for Kohli. Kohli has been playing under the captaincy of Dhoni since last 8 years. He must have learned a lot of things from Dhoni and you know, Dhoni is one of the best captains.
 
First let him do this wonder, which is very unlikely :) And you still didn't tell me, why India lost that Test match which you were referring to?

Also under ms dhoni they wouldn't have even got in a position to win that match because he is more defensive
 
Mamoon bhai hopefully barbar improves and he is a regular in all formats than he could take over captain. Sarfaraz could be a good capatin but he may not be suited for LOI in his current role.

Have to agree with you Mamoon, but sad thing is there are not many potentially better options either for one reason or the other, so who would be ur choice if u have it ur way? Babar Azam may be?

Babar is Pakistan's only long-term hope. We do not have a batting culture and batsmen of his caliber are rare commodities for us, if he does not fulfill his potential and goes the Umar Akmal way, it will be a big tragedy for Pakistan cricket.

Hopefully within 2 years, he will have cemented himself at number 3/4 as the batting backbone across all formats and ideally should take over as captain after the 2019 World Cup at the age of 25.

Azhar and Sarfraz are stop gap solutions. They are hard working and honest players but they do not have the ability for Limited Overs cricket, and Azhar is already 31 and given how fast Sarfraz's fitness is deteriorating, he might be finished at this level in 3-4 years.

Pakistan needs a batting star of his own who commands the respect and adulation of the cricketing world and whom the opposition should fear.

We need our own version of Kohli, Root, Smith, Williamson, Mathews and de Kock (most likely next SA captain). Maybe not as good but at least close, and Babar has the potential.

Babar needs to realize that he has very little competition now and should take full advantage of it.

The careers of Umar, Shehzad and Maqsood are going nowhere, while Haris is very good but he keeps getting injured.

Younis and Misbah are on the brink of retirement and age is catching up with Hafeez as well.

Azhar, Asad and Sarfraz aren't young either and are good for Test cricket only, so Babar is the only batsman who has the age and the ability to play all three formats for the next 10 years, which means captaincy will eventually fall in his hands as well.

As I said before, if Babar doesn't capitalize on this and throws it away, it will be a big tragedy for Pakistan cricket.

Hopefully he learns from his cousin.
 
Babar is Pakistan's only long-term hope. We do not have a batting culture and batsmen of his caliber are rare commodities for us, if he does not fulfill his potential and goes the Umar Akmal way, it will be a big tragedy for Pakistan cricket.

Hopefully within 2 years, he will have cemented himself at number 3/4 as the batting backbone across all formats and ideally should take over as captain after the 2019 World Cup at the age of 25.

Azhar and Sarfraz are stop gap solutions. They are hard working and honest players but they do not have the ability for Limited Overs cricket, and Azhar is already 31 and given how fast Sarfraz's fitness is deteriorating, he might be finished at this level in 3-4 years.

Pakistan needs a batting star of his own who commands the respect and adulation of the cricketing world and whom the opposition should fear.

We need our own version of Kohli, Root, Smith, Williamson, Mathews and de Kock (most likely next SA captain). Maybe not as good but at least close, and Babar has the potential.

Babar needs to realize that he has very little competition now and should take full advantage of it.

The careers of Umar, Shehzad and Maqsood are going nowhere, while Haris is very good but he keeps getting injured.

Younis and Misbah are on the brink of retirement and age is catching up with Hafeez as well.

Azhar, Asad and Sarfraz aren't young either and are good for Test cricket only, so Babar is the only batsman who has the age and the ability to play all three formats for the next 10 years, which means captaincy will eventually fall in his hands as well.

As I said before, if Babar doesn't capitalize on this and throws it away, it will be a big tragedy for Pakistan cricket.

Hopefully he learns from his cousin.

Yes as long as barbar works hard on his game I think he will be fine. He will hopefully be batting at 3 in all formats.azhar is a hard worker I'm sure he will succeed in LOI eventually as his fitness is not as bad as sarfaraz as well but yes is limited tbh
 
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Not long to go till Kohli takes on Williamsons Kiwis than we can start with this debate. :kohli

There batting is the key but will be keeping an eye on there capatincy. Also when Australia play India in 2017 will keep an eye on Smiths leadership
 
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Not long to go till Kohli takes on Williamsons Kiwis than we can start with this debate. :kohli

There batting is the key but will be keeping an eye on there capatincy. Also when Australia play India in 2017 will keep an eye on Smiths leadership

India have won all home series for a long time with 1 exception, even Brearley's captaincy wouldn't make much of a difference.
 
Kohli may not be the best bat but he's the best captain.

No discussion.
 
Kohli as he is proactive, he will take more risk like Adelaide where he played Karan Sharma over Ashwin and went for chase. His strategy to play five bowlers regularly can bring India some overseas wins also.
 
Kohli because other options aren't good enough either.


Smith will do well. Williamson needs more time. Have doubts about Root, but can't judge till he gets the job.

Wouldn't write any 3 of them of yet.
 
Kohli by a fair distance

Personally am not a fan of kohli the batsman but as a player his temperament,desire and never dying attitude is astounding
 
Smith will do well. Williamson needs more time. Have doubts about Root, but can't judge till he gets the job.

Wouldn't write any 3 of them of yet.

Not writing off anyone as they have just started and everyone has ups and down but there is room of improvement for each of them.

Root hasn't yet taken the captaincy role. So we have to wait for that too.
 
All four of them are now captains of their respective Test teams.

Root off to a decent start.
 
Steven Smith right now.

None of them have special captaincy potential but are great players with good teams so the hype.

Btw surprised to see so many people rating Kohli who isnt any special as captain and should not be India's captain.
 
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