Virat Kohli Creating An Environment Of Excellence For Indian Team, Says Brad Hogg
Published - 23 Aug 2021, 05:05 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:52 AM
Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg has lauded Virat Kohli for his effective leadership of the Indian team. Brad Hogg feels that Virat Kohli has created an environment of excellence for Team India, where there is a lot of discipline. Hogg’s words arrive after the Indian skipper led the team to a 151-run victory against hosts England in the 2nd Test at Lord’s.
Virat Kohli, who has struggled with his batting form in the series so far, has managed to lead the team well despite his poor form. In the 3 innings of the 2 Tests so far, Kohli has only scored 62 runs at an average of 20.67 without any fifty. However, his decisions have managed to give fruitful results to the team. For instance, he picked 4 pacers for the Lord’s Test and all of them played a crucial role to earn the victory for India, bowling out England at just 120 in the last two sessions of Day 5.
Virat Kohli Creating An Environment Of Excellence: Brad Hogg
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Brad Hogg praised Kohli for setting a great example for other players and forming an excellent environment for the team.
“He (Virat Kohli) is creating an environment of excellence, where there is a lot of discipline, there’s a clean environment there, and when you’re on the training track there is no wasted time – every second is valuable time to hone your skills and make sure you’re right for the game. Virat Kohli doesn’t expect players to do what he won’t or can’t do,” the former Aussie spinner said.
Hogg also appreciated Kohli for not shying away from his poor batting form in the ongoing series and working on his batting. Hogg feels that by doing so, Virat Kohli is setting an example of youngsters who can follow him comfortably.
“Leaders have to show their vulnerability as well, and Virat Kohli has been doing that with his little lack of form or the tough run he’s had as of late. He’s not shying back from it.
“He’s getting out there and he realizes that he is in it and he’s working on it. And what that does, it creates that environment where the youngsters see it from their leaders and they feel comfortable to go in there and follow their leader,” Hogg further said.
During India vs England 2nd Test at Lord’s, the Joe Root-led side was in a promising position on Day 4, restricting India to 181-6 in 2nd innings. However, England failed to attack the Indian tailenders Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, who smacked an unbeaten 89-run partnership towards the end to take India’s lead to 271.
Chasing 272 at a tough batting pitch at Lord’s, England succumbed to Indian pacers getting crushed to 120-all out. With the victory in the 2nd Test, India leads the 5-match Test series 1-0. Both the teams will now meet at Headingly, Leeds on August 25 for the 3rd Test.
