3 game-changing decisions by Virat Kohli that transformed Indian Test cricket

2. Establishing a fresh pace-bowling identity

India,  like most subcontinental sides, has always had a reputation for being a spin-dominant entity. However, King Kohli brought about a major shift in this perception by backing fast bowlers to do the job alongside spinners, even in home games. A robust fast-bowling arsenal was built under Kohli's leadership. His prioritisation of pace over spin gave birth to a new blueprint for India's Test cricket journey.

This led to the emergence of a formidable pace battery over time. From Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, each bowler delivered as per, and even beyond, expectations under Kohli's captaincy. The numbers speak for themselves: pacers accounted for a better average (28.07 vs 31.49), economy (2.99 vs 3.11), and strike rate (56.2 vs 60.6) compared to spinners.