Just a couple of days have elapsed since the comprehensive
announcement about the conduct of WC 2015 was made. No overwhelming buzz, as
expected, for a tournament that is 18 months away. The interest levels
currently (for an Indian fan) aren’t the greatest either with India just
finishing an ODI series in Zimbabwe and no big ticket international cricket in
prospect over the next two months. Amid these circumstances it would be a decent
academic exercise to comprehend on where the Indian team stands in the build-up
to 2015.
Of all the players who will hog the limelight in that
process, Virat Kohli is one name which will definitely feature more often. An
ODI average of 49.72 (108 innings), a T20I average of 34.87 (18 innings) and a
test career that promises to blossom - average 41.96 (31 innings); in a short
span Virat has translated from a dynamic under-19 skipper to a mainstay in the
Indian batting line-up, unnoticeably. Beyond statistics it is the number &
nature of ‘match-winning’ knocks which have swelled the respect to his name in
international cricket. He has been a prolific run getter for India in the
coloured jersey and a decent starter in the test avatar, but how good is Virat
Kohli amid the mix of top batsmen in world cricket today?
Virat stands on top of the list of run-getters in ODIs in
the last 2 years boasting an average of 56.32 with 10 tons! In winning causes,
this stat gets brighter - 9 tons at an average of 81.75 with an aggregate of
1962 runs; the next best in line - Dilshan, more than 600 runs away. These numbers
are simply stunning for somebody who is just 24. Comparison for a rising name is
inevitable in sport and likewise Virat has been compared to Tendulkar in his
early days. In the current pool though, likes of Cook, Amla, Clarke, Sangakkara
will find a way into the top batsmen lists across formats; Virat has a few
things to prove before he can claim a stake in that bracket.
Yes his test numbers aren’t phenomenal, but they aren’t shoddy
for a number 5 batsman; his T20I sample size is too little to draw inferences
and 31.48% of his ODI knocks have been against Sri Lanka, but given the way he
is batting it isn’t unlikely that his statistics will enhance their outreach in
every sphere soon. What remains unanswered is his ability to score runs in
seaming conditions in a 5-day game, under pressure & under the ‘limelight’.
Thus far in his brief test history, he has been to West Indies & Australia
only. Like natural discourse he found it difficult to match profile description
with performances in the initial phase. At the end of the list though there was
a spark which came just in time to salvage what could have been a hiatus for
his test career. He has the armoury to adapt to conditions, but what leaves space
for anticipative scrutiny is his mental strength over a period of time.
The timeline of Virat’s progress in mainstream cricket has been
close to the ideal path over the last 6-7 years. He was an uncelebrated cog in
India’s 2011 world cup win and will probably be India’s pivot in 2015. The
attitude of attack being best form of defence is there, so is the element of
leadership at the highest level, what will determine the magnitude of his
progress is his temperament with respect to personal form. Sportspersons' have their
share of ups and downs but there is only one highest peak and one lowest trough.
We don’t know whether Virat is nearing the tallest region of his career contour
chart or has entered that zone, but if he is in that phase he ought to extract
the maximum possible yield. The fixtures calendar has 4 major ‘away’ tours
lined up for India over the next year & half and will be a tricky test for
an untested pool of youngsters. Virat has the potential to excel and lead such
a group of players in tougher terrains. For him though an outstanding ‘away’
tour in the next 15 months is a necessity to step up the next level of batsmanship!
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