Virat Kohli is like Michael Jordan; he needs to be more consistent in team selections: Nick Compton
Compton pointed out something which he doesn't like about Virat's captaincy.
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Virat Kohli is a figure that faces scrutiny at every point in time as he holds the responsibility of leading the Indian team. To be fair on the batsman, he has done exceedingly well for the Indian team. India held on to the no. 1 spot in the Test rankings, for 43 months. His ODI record as a captain is also commendable.
Recently in an interaction, former England cricketer Nick Compton compared the skills of Kohli with another sporting legend, Micheal Jordan. Compton while talking about the Indian skipper, pointed out that he leads from the front and pushes other individuals as well. He also credited him for bringing a competitive nature to the team.
“What Virat (Kohli) has done for that Test team is very much in terms of the competitive nature in which he has led. I don’t think you get a man who wants to win more than him & pushes other individuals. What comes to my mind is Michael Jordan’s Netflix programme ‘The Last Dance’. Jordan for some team-mates wasn’t always the best friend they were looking for, however, when it comes to the performance he pushed them, he drove & he demanded high standards. Virat Kohli is a similar type of character in that sense,” Compton said in a conversation with sports presenter Dr. Yash Kashikar on his Instagram live show ‘Say Yash to Sports’.
There has to be more consistency in selection: Nick Compton on Virat Kohli’s captaincy
It should be noted that Kohli’s personal records have improved quite significantly since he took over as the captain. He averages over 61 with the bat while leading the Indian Test team while he averages a massive 74.59 in the ODI matches he has captained.
However, Compton pointed out something which he doesn’t like about Virat’s captaincy. He talked about him making too many changes in the teams when he plays. Though the Indian captain has strayed away from matters such as the talking about his continuous changes in the side, the scrutiny of this aspect has been quite critical. The former England batsman also called out for more consistent selections.
“The only thing he can probably get better at is trying to bring more stability to that team. I think the team changes too much for my liking. It seems that players who might have a more introvert personality might find it more difficult & intimidating. And perhaps question their place in the team and thus play with a bit more fear. So there has to be more consistency in selection,” Compton said.
“Team India is lacking one or two very solid players while playing overseas”
The ex-England opener also talked about the strength of the Indian batting unit. He talked about the team failures to win a series in England and South Africa. The Indian record in overseas conditions hasn’t been great even under Kohli.
“Their top order is very good in the right conditions but I still think it looks like if I was a fast bowler from South Africa or Australia, I have an opportunity to take wickets. So, Pujara for me is an absolute key, Kohli, of course, speaks for himself. But they are still lacking one or two very solid players. They need that resolve & strength to win overseas. All credentials are there but India needs to be the team that is very hard to beat. They are not quite there yet but no so far,” the 36-year-old concluded.
India lost their Test series in South Africa by 1-2 and in England by 1-4. However, they came back strongly by beating the Australians in their home soil for the first time when they won a series 2-1. Earlier this year, they lost another series 0-2 in New Zealand, which led them down to the third position in the ICC Test rankings.
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