Virat Kohli Backed By Indian Head Coach To Return In Test Leadership- Report

When Rohit Sharma was absent in the opening Test of the five-match series in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 at the Optus Stadium, Jasprit Bumrah led the blue brigade to their 290-run victory in the encounter. But Virat Kohli led the side in the same trip for nearly two days when Bumrah was out of the fifth and final Test in Sydney.

Rohit decided to drop himself from the New Year’s Test after he managed only 31 runs in five innings at an average of 6.20. His struggle continued for the entire trip. Even on his return to the domestic Ranji Trophy tournament for Mumbai, he didn’t find runs off the bat.

Virat Kohli’s Test captaincy record

Recent reports have claimed that Virat Kohli could replace him in the department for their upcoming five-match red-ball series in England in June. The veteran hasn’t scored many runs either of late in the longest format with 417 runs in just 19 innings at an average of 24.52 and a strike rate of nearly 61.96 with the help of one century and one half-century.

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The right-handed batter found the BGT incredibly hard, with just 191 runs in innings at an average of 23.75. Apart from his second-innings century in Perth, he failed to get a fifty for the last seven innings. However, his form as a captain is superb.

The Delhi-born has collected 5864 Test runs in 113 innings at an average of around 55. He celebrated 20 centuries and 18 half-centuries in the five-day format at the best score of unbeaten 254 runs against South Africa in Pune.

As a leader of the side, Virat Kohli inspired the blue brigade to a successful time in Tests. He has earned sixth most victories (40), the most for India, in 68 clashes at a winning percentage of 58.

Gautam Gambhir believes in Virat Kohli's red-ball leadership

Virat Kohli also turned up for a rare domestic game for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy after nearly 12 years. But he couldn’t bring joy to his fans after failing on six runs against a swinging delivery from Himanshu Sangwan. The ball before that, he nailed a trademark straight drive for a boundary.

"Coach Gautam Gambhir has backed the idea of Virat leading the Test team again. But he is yet to clear his stance officially.” The close BCCI expressed, as quoted by MyKhel.

Virat led India to an unassailable 2-1 series lead in England during the 2021 season before the fifth and final game was rescheduled due to Covid-19.

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“Team India has done well under the aggressive captaincy of Virat, especially in overseas conditions. With the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle starting, the team needs a leader like Virat Kohli because the next line of Test leaders is still in development. In the interim, Kohli looks like the most suited option.” The source added.

India overlooks Jasprit Bumrah as new Test captain

India’s premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, led the national side during the fifth Birmingham clash when Rohit missed the contest with an injury. He could be a suitable person for the position, but his recent list of injuries hasn’t pushed the selectors to give him too much responsibility.

The reports claimed that Gambhir had a conversation with Kohl during the Australian tour about the potentiality of leading the side. The blue brigade has missed their chance to play their third consecutive final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25. That will offer them a good amount of time to build their squad for the next two-year cycle.