Kohli’s irrepressible hunger: The Indian fans got a bit pesky when they saw Bumrah and Shami coming out to bat after lunch, despite India securing a healthy lead. It was expected that Kohli will declare right away and India will pounce on the opportunity to seize the English batters by storm.
However, the declaration came a wee bit later than the fans expected, but it came nevertheless. Declaration in Test matches is a tricky affair, especially in the close calls like the one of Lord’s. You never know what will happen if you let go of those 20 extra runs. Or at times you feel that it came late, and you lost a golden opportunity to strike the iron when hot.
Sourav Ganguly held the pedestal earlier with 4 declarations against SENA nations, a feat that is exceptionally difficult. However, with the likes of Dravid, Sehwag, Laxman, Tendulkar and himself, miracles seemed possible.
Ever since Kohli has taken over the captaincy, India’s batting has taken a back burner in the last year with the Indian middle-order wobbling dangerously. Pujara and Rahane has been terribly out of shape and Kohli himself hasn’t been extraordinary either.
Under such trying circumstances, declaration feels like a luxury. However, Kohli being the special one has always managed to upstage obstacles and come out on top.
Kohli’s implacable hunger to win overseas
In a fascinating tweet, a user highlighted how Kohli surpassed Sourav Ganguly’s magical feat of four declarations against SENA nations on the road.
Indian Captains Declaring Test Innings, Most times in SENA Countries
5 – Virat Kohli*
4 – Sourav Ganguly
2 – MS Dhoni
2 – M Azharuddin
2 – Bishan Bedi#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/qecJl7bkHj— S H E B A S (@Shebas_10) August 18, 2021
Kohli holds the ace with 5 declarations while Ganguly follows suit with 4. MS Dhoni, Azharuddin and Bishan Singh Bedi are the next monikers on the list with 2 declarations each.
Though Kohli has been struggling to maintain consistency with the bat, his captaincy has been top-notch with India troubling major stalwarts of the sport and doing that emphatically.
