The India-Sri Lanka Test series was expected to be a stern test for skipper Virat Kohli as it was his first full-fledged series as captain, but the Delhi lad passed it with flying colours, winning a historic series. India defeated Sri Lanka 2-1 on their home soil, after a wait of 22 years.
India were brilliant in the three-match Test series, barring their batting performance in the fourth innings of the first Test match in Galle, which led to an unlikely defeat. However, Kohli and his men did not let their heads drop as they came back in the series with back-to-back wins against the Lankans.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who was disappointed with the team after their first Test loss, was all praise for Kohli and his captaincy skills.
"He is very proactive Test skipper, that's so important. He is looking to make things happen and sometimes they won't happen because that's the nature of the game. But you can see that in the way he makes his bowling changes, you can see that in the way he makes his field placing, he is looking to make things happen, there is not a moment where he is letting the game stagnate and drift," NDTV quoted Gavaskar as saying.
One has to agree with Gavaskar regarding some bowling changes that he made, and the way Kohli kept pressure on the Lankan batsmen was commendable. Kohli, as always, wants to be in the thick of the action and took up those crucial fielding positions as well when required. He led from the front in the Test series.
Kohli was also seen egging his players on even when the home team were dictating terms, not letting his players' heads drop at any point, which is a hallmark of a great captain.
"So that is the important thing. He is looking to make things happen, to upset the opposition and get him th the advantage and that is a huge plus. Clearly when playing against stronger teams it may not come easy and the test will come then, but the early signs are very very encouraging," added Gavaskar.
Though it might be too early for one to draw comparisions with MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly, one thing is for sure that Kohli is one the right track to help Indian cricket move in the right direction.
Kohli's next big test will be against South Africa at home in November.
