Removing Virat Kohli From Captaincy Would Destroy The Culture Of The Indian Team: Brad Hogg

Former Australian leg-spinner Brad Hogg has reckoned that champion Indian batsman and regular captain Virat Kohli should continue to lead the side despite his deputy Ajinkya Rahane’s inspirational leadership in the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Virat Kohli headed home after the first Test at the Adelaide Oval in order to be with his pregnant wife and Bollywood star Anushka Sharma. However, in the absence of Kohli and in the aftermath of the shambolic 36 all-out in Adelaide, Team India, despite grappling with injuries, produced a comeback for the ages under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane.

However, Brad Hogg believes that Virat Kohli should still continue to lead the Indian team despite Rahane’s stellar achievement in Australia as he feels that removing the charismatic skipper will ‘destroy’ the culture of the team given the fact that Kohli thrives under the weight of responsibility as is evident from his stellar batting numbers ever since he took over the reins from MS Dhoni in the winter of 2014.

“He (Virat Kohli) bats better when he is the captain. I think if you change it, it would destroy the culture of that Indian team. It might affect Kohli’s batting. He wouldn’t want it to happen, but it will happen”. Brad Hogg said in his latest video on his official  Youtube channel.

WHAT A WIN!!! Yessssss. To everyone who doubted us after Adelaide, stand up and take notice. Exemplary performance but the grit and determination was the standout for us the whole way. Well done to all the boys and the management. Enjoy this historic feat lads. Cheers ???? @BCCI pic.twitter.com/CgWElgOOO1

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 19, 2021

The 49-year-old lauded Ajinkya Rahane for the fantastic job that he did as India’s captain Down Under in the absence of Kohli. Under Rahane, India is yet to lose a Test match, having won 4 out of 5 while one ended in a draw [at the SCG].

Hogg, however, added that the energy that Virat Kohli brings to the field as a leader when the chips are down is something special and he would still keep Ajinkya Rahane as the former’s deputy.

“Yes Ajinkya Rahane has done a fantastic job in the last three Test matches in Australia. He is cool, calm, collective. He is quite decisive, and he doesn’t get agitated. He is a fantastic leader. But I will leave him as vice-captain because I think Virat Kohli leads from the front,” Brad Hogg asserted.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli will be back at the helm in the upcoming home series against England, starting February 05.

Also Read: I Asked MS Dhoni About How He Deals With Pressure: Shardul Thakur