Kohli must be made captain now itself: Ajit Agarkar

Former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar, who is now plying his trade in professional Corporate Golf, recently spoke on Virat Kohli and his new career in an interview with The Hindu. Speaking about the IPL, Agarkar mentioned that Kolkata Knight Riders look like the most settled side and tagged the Royal Challengers Bangalore as the side that is coming up good now.

When asked about Virat Kohli, just like everybody else, Agarkar was all praises for the Indian batsman. He said scoring centuries in the shortest format at will is something that sets himself apart.

Agarkar further said that it is his belief that makes things tougher for the bowlers. “Twenty20 is the hardest and most demanding and he’s shown consistency…one can be consistent getting 30s and 40s…but to get four hundreds is indeed a phenomenal feat. I think he believes that he cannot get out; this must be the impression most people who have seen him play in the IPL get. I don’t think he’s worried that anyone can get him out. It’s up to the bowlers to do better now,”

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He also admitted that rubbing shoulders with the likes of Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers must have helped Kohli become a more aggressive batsman. “I am sure it would have probably helped. In fact he’s helping the other guys in the team by what he is doing now. You watch him bat and after a couple of overs, you don’t feel he will get out… which is a scary sign,” said Ajit Agarkar.

The debatable question was up next and when asked about whether Kohli should be handed the captaincy in all the three formats, the former pace bowler felt it is the right time to do so. He explained that a captain needs some time to settle him.

He explained further citing the example of MS Dhoni, on how he took over as captain in 2008 and eventually won the World Cup in 2011. “I think so. He’s already the Test team captain. It is another four years for the next World Cup. If he’s likely to lead India in the next World Cup, why not make him the ODI captain now itself. One can take M.S. Dhoni’s example. He captained India in 2008 and India won the World Cup in 2011,”

“Captain needs a bit of time and sometimes fresh ideas do help. In my opinion he should be ODI captain…and also Twenty20. One can understand MS leading in the ICC World Twenty20…but there is nothing on the horizon now,” he added further.