Tough road ahead, Indians must not celebrate too soon
puts no cap on the amount of bilateral cricket that can be scheduled.
The individual boards, including BCCI, can’t be stopped from arranging ‘extra’ series.
It’s an overkill for the public. But it gives a team scope to be at the top while playing against teams, especially Sri Lanka and West Indies, experiencing a decline.
Soon after Kohli became the only India captain to register two series wins in Sri Lanka, Sanjay Manjrekar, cricketer-turned -commentator, made a statement.
Citing the example of one of the best Pakistan teams of all time, led by Imran Khan, Manjrekar wants Kohli to emulate Imran and urge the BCCI for “tougher challenges”.
The side led by Imran in the 1980s pushed the best Test team in the world West Indies to the limit. In only his second Test as skipper, Imran led Pakistan to their first ever victory on English soil since 1954. Five years later, he led Pakistan to their first-ever Test series win against India (in India) followed by their first series victory in England.
During the 1980s, Imran’s team also recorded three praiseworthy draws against the West Indies. And their 1992 World Cup triumph, held in Australia and New Zealand, was nothing less than an inspiration.
Out of 48 matches as captain, Imran won 14, lost 8 and the rest were drawn. It’s evident that statistically, he wasn’t the best Pakistan captain but is remembered because of the impact he had.
In case of Kohli, things are different. India have got off to a wonderful start under him, have become World No 1 but are yet to face a stiff challenge.
The Kohli-led India should not celebrate too soon. While the drubbing of a listless Sri Lanka is not to be scoffed at, the days ahead will challenge the side more.