Kohli will carry forward the Indian legacy: Rohit Sharma

Kohli will carry forward the Indian legacy: Rohit Sharma: Now, the time beckons when the Indian team is gradually progressing into a different brand of leadership all together with the advent of Kohli era in Test matches. Many would argue that Virat Kohli would bring a similar legacy of aggression with which Sourav Ganguly thwarted the ghosts of alien overseas conditions with a fearless attitude and never give up attitude. Now, India is fittingly in an identical position to that when Ganguly took over the reins of Indian cricket.

Since June 2011, India has won just two of the 24 Tests that they have played away from home. Talent has never been a question but self-belief and mindset of the Indian team has been under scanner. Kohli can be a perfect foil as he is the symbol of Self-belief and gritty mindset.

It has never been a hidden fact that both Kohli and Rohit Sharma enjoy a great rapport and are great admirers of each other’s art. Rohit heaped praises on the new test skipper in command which is a fair testimony of the respect that this Delhi lad garners in the side. In a way it also reflects the positive aura in the set up which reflects that India’s future are in right hands.

Rohit insisted: “I have never seen a player like him and what he has done in this limited time speaks volumes about the hard work he has done to achieve it. He brings a different energy to the table. I like his aggression and we saw how he led the Indian side in Australia”. “Now the onus is on him to carry forward the Indian legacy, he has to show us the way ahead. And I am confident he will.”

Recently, Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians (MI) to IPL triumph for the second time in three attempts. Rohit was the catalyst in turning the torrid fortunes of the franchise, both with the willow and his leadership skills. But, now he is also aware that experienced players like him have to carry forward a victor legacy in the overseas tests as well in which India’s performance has been below par.

But, Rohit believes: “It is important to leave our past behind and look ahead. The past two Test series have not gone our way, but we all have learnt something from it. We fought in each game and tried to be aggressive,” he said. “The onus is on all of us to deliver. Test cricket is a different ball game altogether. We have played some good cricket and we [youngsters] all have different styles of play, which is good. We know the fact that we will have someone in the side who will rise to the occasion, but one needs to be patient too. We are a developing side and I am confident we will do well ahead.”

The Indian speedster Umesh Yadav also lavished praises on the new test captain under whom he works with ease. Yadav asserted that: “It’s definitely a different atmosphere under Virat. He’s like one of the guys. Being of the same age group helps and talking to him, discussing your problems becomes really easy,”

“He is an aggressive player and it does change you. You try and emulate the way your captain plays and that’s why you have seen a rise in aggression in our playing style. It’s a positive atmosphere and that is what you want when facing a team like Australia,” added Yadav.

Kohli rates Rohit Sharma very highly and regard him as the most gifted batter in India. That also points out that, Rohit will have a major role to play under Kohli’s regime and scheme of things. Prior to World Cup 2015, Kohli has said: “If a player like him gets going he can be the X-factor in a tournament like the World Cup. When he gets going, he can bring those big runs and win the match for you. His value for the team is massive it’s great to have him back. “I have never seen a guy, after he gets set, be so dangerous: Kohli said in a recent interview.

Although, Rohit has shown signs of maturation in limited overs format of the game with his well crafted knocks under pressure situations but he still looks quite distant in replicating the same pedigree in longer format of the game. He is a key player to India’s fortunes to the path of resurgence in Tests. But, only time will tell how the most talented batsmen of the country can translate the brimming talent into some note worthy and consistent performances or else the pall of inconsistency will dominate the proceedings in his case.