Virat Kohli Is A Great Captain; There's No Doubt Over His Captaincy Credentials: Kamran Akmal

Former Pakistan keeper-batsman Kamran Akmal refuses to solely blame Virat Kohli for India’s failure to win an ICC trophy in recent times. India’s recent loss in the World Test Championship final to New Zealand meant that Virat Kohli’s men squandered another opportunity to bag their first silverware since 2013. But Kamran Akmal believes it has nothing to do with Kohli’s captaincy and that he has been unfortunate.

The World Test Championship final defeat was India’s sixth consecutive failure in an ICC tournament after an incredible run before the knockouts or final. Hence, it begged the question of whether the men in blue struggle to cope up with the pressure on a big occasion. It was also Virat Kohli’s third instance as captain of failing to get India over the line in a massive game.

Kamran Akmal praised Virat Kohli by saying that he is a fantastic captain and a big player. The 39-year old underlined that like many Indian captains, Kohli has done nothing but took the team forward. Akmal observed that even though the 32-year old has not led India to success in any ICC tournament, he has ushered India to many series wins. According to the veteran, Kohli has been unlucky and his captaincy credentials should not come under question.

“Virat Kohli is a big player and a fantastic captain. He is aggressive and very emotional. Any captain who has come in has only taken Indian cricket forward. It started with Sourav Ganguly, then Rahul Dravid and MS Dhoni took over. Yes, everyone has complained that Virat Kohli hasn’t won any ICC trophy. But, apart from that, he has won almost everything. India have won so many series’ under Virat Kohli. He has been a bit unlucky, but I have no doubt over his captaincy credentials. He is a great captain and match-winner,” Kamran Akmal told on ‘My Master Cricket Coach’ YouTube channel

What is the guarantee that another captain can come in and win India an ICC trophy? Asks Kamran Akmal

Kamran Akmal conceded that India not winning ICC tournaments is not entirely Virat Kohli’s fault and that there’s no guarantee they’ll start doing it if a new captain comes. Thus, the Pakistan cricketer highlighted that team needs to analyse where they go wrong as they choke at the final hurdle. Kamran Akmal believes that Kohli should get on with the captaincy as long as he feels he can do it.

“India not winning ICC events is not completely Virat Kohli’s fault. What is the guarantee that another captain can come in and win India an ICC trophy? As a team, they have to analyze why they are not winning the big events. They reach the last stages but fail at the final hurdle. It will be unfair to blame only Virat Kohli. According to me, as long as he feels that he can do the job, he should continue,” he added.

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