What Virat Kohli has done with Test side in last five years is brilliant: Rohit Sharma
India’s new Test skipper Rohit Sharma lauded Virat Kohli for approaching a massive milestone in his career against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Mohali. Kohli is on the verge of becoming the 12th Indian cricketer to play 100 Tests and BCCI has allowed 50 percent crowd capacity on the special occasion at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium. The right-hander has scored 7962 runs in 99 Tests so far at an average of 50.4 and is definitely among India’s greatest Test batters.
Kohli stepped down from the Test captaincy after the series loss to South Africa and Rohit was appointed as his successor recently. With 40 wins in 68 Tests, Kohli is the most successful Indian captain in the longest format and he ensured that India stayed in the number one position for a considerable period of time including excellent performances in overseas conditions as well.
It’s one hell of a ride for Virat Kohli: Rohit Sharma
Speaking ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka, Rohit Sharma mentioned that Kohli has had a brilliant journey so far in the Test format and acknowledged the fact that the former India captain has changed the way in India’s mode of approach in Tests. He added that Kohli will continue his dominance in the coming years as well in Tests.
“It’s been an absolutely brilliant journey for him (Kohli) and a long one. He has done exceedingly well, especially in this format, & changed so many things. It’s one hell of a ride for him and will continue to be for years to come,” Rohit Sharma said in the press conference.
Rohit picked Virat Kohli’s ton in the South Africa Test series in 2013 and the 2018 series victory in Australia as memorable moments under the latter’s captaincy. The 34-year-old also revealed his excitement over taking up India‘s Test captaincy and aspired to correct the small mistakes that have been identified.
“What Kohli has done with Test side in the last 5 years has been brilliant. I am just picking up from there. Excited to begin as captain. I don’t think we have done much wrong in the last 2-3 years or so. But need to correct all mistakes that we’ve made in the past. The best memory of Virat Kohli will be the 2013 South Africa Test series. the wickets were challenging and he scored a magnificent hundred. This will stay forever, As a team, the 2018 win in Australia in which Kohli was the captain was memorable,” he added.
