Published: Mar 27, 2015, 08:21 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 27, 2015, 08:21 PM (IST)
India crashed out of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 courtesy a 95-run loss to Australia in the semi-final at Sydney. Many didn’t give India a chance to reach this far considering the fact that they had a horrible Test series and tri-series in a row. One man, other than MS Dhoni, who would have been expected to step up to the plate was India’s vice-captain Virat Kohli. Pramod Ananth feels Kohli could have done a little more to help India retain their title. Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar: Similarities between the two India vs Australia ICC Cricket World Cup knockout matches
Virat Kohli has made headlines ever since India’s tour to Australia began in December 2014. Be it for his on-field spats with Mitchell Johnson or reports on his affair with Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, it has been difficult for Kohli to stay away. But Kohli lets his bat do the talking most of the times and the 2014-15 tour of Australia was one such example. It was surely a testing time in his career, which ended in him getting the permanent captaincy in Tests, following MS Dhoni’s retirement from the longest format. An open letter to MS Dhoni
Kohli was the stand-in captain for injured Dhoni in the first Test at Adelaide Oval. He took charge with lots of promise and hopes, just like other challenges that have come his way in his career. Kohli didn’t buckle under pressure, but rose to the occasion. He slammed twin centuries in the match and India went tantalisingly close to winning. India vs Australia Semi-Final ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at Sydney: Highlights
Chasing 364 in the fourth innings was never going to be easy, but Kohli’s tremendous determination gave India the hope. He instructed Indian cricket team to go for the win and despite suffering a disappointing loss, Kohli India would have lost if they had decided to settle for a draw. Kohli’s attitude as a captain and temperament as a player was widely praised. Does the Indian cricket team deserve a better class of fans?
Kohli failed miserably in the second Test at Brisbane, managing just 19 and one in his two innings as India lost yet again. Dhoni returned from injury but could not prevent he loss. Kohli’s weakness outside off stump was exposed by Australia taken full advantage of. Kohli, however had very little trouble in putting short deliveries, although the same cannot be said about the other batsmen. Top 10 wicketkeepers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Kohli once again showed his mettle in the third Test at Melbourne. He slammed yet another ton and his 262-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane for the fourth wicket got India trailing Australia by 65 runs at the end of the innings. Kohli top scored with 169 and once again succumbed to a full delivery outside off, much to the delight of the Australians.
The match saw an on-field spat between Kohli and Mitchell Johnson as well. It all started when Kohli hit a ball straight back to Johnson. Johnson then had a shy at the stumps, but could hit Kohli instead. They had a verbal spat, but just when you think the matter was settled, Kohli then took to the media to say that he has no reason to respect Johnson, if he doesn’t respect him. Many felt that it was uncalled for, but such was Kohli’s aggression. Top 10 fielders in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
With the match heading towards adraw, Kohli managed to get a half-century to end on a high. But it was curtains on the Test career of Dhoni and Kohli was handed over the reins in Test cricket. Times Now, do us a favour and shut up: You are embarrassing Indian media in front of the world
The fourth Test at Sydney saw India beginning a new chapter in their history with Kohli as full-time captain. Kohli celebrated the occasion as he struck 147 in the first innings. But India had a chance to win the match as things did not go as per plans on the final day at Sydney, and captain ’Kohli’s India decided to play for a draw. Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Moving on to the tri-series, featuring Australia and England, Kohli failed miserably in all the matches. With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 around the corner, Kohli’s show at the shorter format was abysmal. Kohli just managed 24 runs in four innings at an average of eight. Though he had the potential to bounce back, one feared that Kohli might have another poor tournament. Anushka Sharma, you are to be blamed for India’s loss against Australia in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
There were speculations as to where he should bat in the line-up: Whether he will be suited at No. 3 or a little down the order at No. 4. Dhoni decided to give him a go at No. 3, which is the best position for him and it paid off. Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
In spite of a poor series, Kohli was expected to deliver in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. He started the tournament with a bang, with a century against arch-rivals Pakistan. He was dropped in the 70s but he cashed in on that and made his innings count. Kohli followed it up with a 46 against South Africa and built an excellent partnership with Shikhar Dhawan. In the other matches, there were the 30s and 40s but no half-century. India remained hopeful of another big score, but Kohli failed to make an impact in the knockout matches against Bangladesh and Australia and that proved fatal.
India were eventually knocked out of the World Cup and Kohli has been on the receiving end. There has been a talk that Kohli was distracted because of Anushka sitting in the stands. We’ve seen Kohli blow kisses towards Anushka earlier on the tour, but it’s a little too far-fetched to say that he was “distracted” because of her. Decoding the MS Dhoni enigma: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Kohli’s numbers in World Cup tournaments are still excellent. He averages over 50 in eight matches and has played a good role coming in at No. 3 in most of the matches. But if Kohli wants to be compared with some of the greats of the game, he has to step up when the chips are down and score big runs. If he’s unable to do that, Kohli is sure to face the wrath of the unforgiving Indian public and media. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)
