Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has spoken highly of Virat Kohli’s leadership, asserting that the fire Kohli ignited in the Indian cricket team during his captaincy has set a strong foundation for the team’s current success. Kohli, who captained the national team across formats until 2021 without securing an ICC trophy, is often critiqued for his tenure. However, Harbhajan believes that his contributions go far beyond accolades.
The Impact of Kohli’s Leadership
In an interview with ‘Sports Yaari,’ Harbhajan stated that Kohli’s leadership should not be measured solely by trophies.
He noted, “Kohli ki kaptaani mei chahe aap World Cup nahi jeete (you may not have won a World Cup under Kohli’s captaincy), but it doesn’t make him a lesser captain or lesser player.”
Harbhajan emphasised that Kohli instilled a fighting spirit within the team, encouraging players to tackle challenges head-on.
He referred to the gripping Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia in 2020-21, where the team showed remarkable resilience, even when Kohli had to leave the series early for personal reasons.
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Legacy of Courage and Determination
Harbhajan highlighted specific instances where Kohli’s influence was evident, such as during the Sydney Test in 2021.
With a challenging target of 408 runs, India fought bravely, finishing with 334 runs and securing a draw.
He stated, “Jo usne aag lagayi na team mei (the fire that he ignited in the team)… we won’t panic. If we go down, we do it while chasing.”
The memorable Gabba Test victory, where Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant led India to an iconic win while chasing a target of over 300 runs, further exemplifies the impact of Kohli’s leadership philosophy.
In conclusion, Harbhajan Singh believes that Kohli’s legacy is defined not just by trophies but by the mindset and determination he fostered in his team, which continues to yield results in the present day.
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