The Indian team was facing difficult conditions in the Sydney Test. There were not many runs on the board and in bowling, the Indian team did not get the support of its regular captain Jasprit Bumrah on the third day. Virat Kohli took over the captaincy in place of the injured Bumrah, and his aggressive style made the match the talk of the town.
Virat Kohli: Unique style of captaincy
Virat Kohli, who had to step down from the captaincy in the beginning of 2022, was forced to take command of the team again. Rohit Sharma’s absence and Bumrah’s injury made him the stand-in captain. Kohli not only energized his team players but also excited his fans.
Heated altercation with Australian fans:
As aggressive as Virat Kohli was on the field, he responded to the Australian fans in an equally funny manner. When Australian supporters were booing after Steve Smith’s dismissal, Kohli teased them by showing his trouser pockets and gesturing that he did not have any sandpaper.
This was a direct reference to the infamous ball tampering scandal of 2018, in which Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were embroiled. At that time, the ball was tampered with using sandpaper, for which Smith and Warner had to face one-year bans, while Bancroft was banned for nine months.
Kohli’s role in boosting the team’s enthusiasm
Virat Kohli was paying full attention not only to the opposing team but also to his team and supporters. Along with keeping the players charged, he also encouraged the Indian fans with gestures to maintain their enthusiasm. This attitude of Kohli was a symbol of his excellent captaincy.
Kohli was also seen standing in support of Steve Smith
Although Kohli’s attitude on the field remains aggressive, his sympathy towards Steve Smith has been shown earlier also. During the World Cup 2019, when Smith was booed by the Indian fans, Kohli himself came forward and expressed support for Smith.
Kohli’s dual role in the Sydney Test—as captain on the one hand and keeping the fans excited on the other—proved his leadership abilities again. His aggressive style and tactics once again showed why he is counted among the most successful captains in the history of Indian cricket.
