India vs England | Next few months defining period in Virat Kohli's captaincy career, says Ian Chappell

India vs England | Next few months defining period in Virat Kohli's captaincy career, says Ian Chappell

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Ian Chappell has stated that the next few months shall be a defining period for Virat Kohli while adding that India losing back-to-back Test series in England and against a side from Down Under, would be a “bookable offence”. He also feels that India should try harder to bounce back in the series.

India has been struggling to keep up with the Englishmen in the ongoing Test series as in the first Test at Edgbaston, the batsmen struggled to mount a big score while the English bowlers like Sam Curran tore the batting line up, resulting to a loss for India. The rain hit second Test also resulted in a similar way when the Indian side couldn't cope up with the weather conditions as well as with the bowling and batting attack of the Englishmen. The third Test has begun yesterday and India seems to have been putting up a better show as the batsman are playing in a comparatively steady pace. 

However, Australian cricket great Ian Chappell feels India losing back-to-back Test series — in England and against a depleted side Down Under, where they will travel a couple of months later — would be a “bookable offence” and also added that the next few months will be a defining period in Virat Kohli’s captaincy career. 

“Prior to reaching the UK, India had a glorious opportunity to defeat two heavyweights in England and Australia in consecutive away Test series. Had they done so, it would have been a laudable achievement. Now Kohli’s team are in danger of not only wilting tamely against England but also of providing a depleted Australian team with a confidence boost, to the point where they will feel their chances of victory at home have greatly improved.If India were to lose both series, it would be a bookable offence.” Chappell wrote in his column for ESPN Cricinfo.

Arriving in the United Kingdom as the world’s number one Test side, India trail the five-match series 0-2 after reverses in Birmingham and London. Even as his colleagues failed miserably with the bat, Kohli shone again. 

“Currently Kohli is fighting a lone hand against a suddenly rampant England attack, and that allows the bowlers the luxury of expending the bulk of their energy in seeking his wicket. The next few months will be a defining period in Kohli’s captaincy career. He has already shown on many occasions that he’s a master batsman; if he can resurrect this Indian team and find a way to thwart Anderson and his English cohorts, then it will go down as an example of masterful leadership,” Chappell concluded. 

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