India's unbeaten streak at home of 12 Tests must be a statistical delight for an average cricket fan. It may well be the unfolding of a story of invincibility, which Virat Kohli and his men are keen to script over the next few years.
With India playing 13 home Test matches, against New Zealand, England, Australia and Bangladesh, in the 2016-17 season, the team – following Kohli’s ideology of trying to win every match – may end up rewriting records.
The Indian team has got the hunger and the ability to achieve the high pedestal where the West Indies in the 1970s and 80s and Australia in the 1990s and 2000s had perched themselves. The present Indian side believes in a process instead of getting carried away by a series win or reclaiming the World No. 1 status. For a young leader like Kohli, consistency over a long period has a bigger appeal than minor gains.
Leading by example
Congregation of minor gains make a dazzling legacy of cricketing glory. For Kohli, the team’s interest is bigger than any personal interest, and collective achievement is more fulfilling than individual accomplishments.
Kohli practices what he preaches. He is happy contributing a crucial 45 in the winning cause in the second Test here. Of course, he wishes to play big knocks but that is not his sole goal as a player.
As a true ambassador of the game, he understands the urgency of keeping alive spectators’ interest in Test cricket to enable the longer version live longer. His team has got a golden opportunity to do so by playing an extended set of games on home turf.
The Indian side is able on all fronts – batting, bowling (both pace and spin departments) and fielding. It has shown character and skill and produced some fascinating duels in the first two Tests against New Zealand to attract spectators in Kanpur and Kolkata.
This should inspire fans to throng the grounds at smaller centres, where the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) wants to conduct Test matches, and connect to an interactive leader and his brigade.
Kohli and his men are also keen to break the barrier.
India has always found trouble while playing in England, Australia and South Africa. It is an “emotional issue” for Kohli. But his team has the right approach to turn around India’s abysmal record as a touring side. Overall, Kohli and Co. are doing a world of good to the game’s health when the BCCI is entangled in a legal mess because of issues surrounding administrative reforms suggested by the Lodha Committee.
If Kohli’s side continues on its pursuit of excellence, we may see the golden age of Indian cricket in the years to come.
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