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Aakash Chopra Picks Virat Kohli As Greatest Test Captain Over Dhoni, Cummins And Ponting

Jatin

Aakash Chopra and Virat Kohli [Source: @cricketaakash, @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]Aakash Chopra and Virat Kohli [Source: @cricketaakash, @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

When Aakash Chopra speaks cricket, fans listen. Known for his sharp analysis and no-nonsense commentary, the former India opener has now weighed in on one of the most hotly debated topics: who is the greatest Test captain?

Virat Kohli Crowned Greatest Test Captain By Aakash Chopra

And after a fun “this or that” segment with CREX, Chopra went all in on one man: Virat Kohli.

It started with a simple face-off between Ben Stokes and Pat Cummins. Chopra backed Cummins. Then came Joe Root, Michael Clarke, MS Dhoni and still, Cummins stayed ahead in his book.

But when the choice was between Cummins and Sourav Ganguly, he leaned towards Dada. Next up was Ricky Ponting, who edged out Ganguly. Imran Khan too was dismissed in favour of Ponting.

But then came the crunch rounds. Aakash Chopra was asked to pick between Ponting and Kohli and he went with the latter. And when the final battle came down to Graeme Smith and Kohli, there was no hesitation. The crown, according to Chopra, belongs to Virat Kohli.

Kohli’s Golden Era As Captain

Virat Kohli’s reign as India’s Test skipper from 2014 to 2022 wasn’t just about numbers, it was about a revolution. He took over mid-tour in Australia in 2014 and changed the entire fabric of Indian cricket. Fitness, aggression, intensity, all became non-negotiables under his watch.

Statistically too, Kohli sits on top. Out of 68 Tests, India won 40, lost 17 and drew 11. His win percentage of 58.82% makes him India’s most successful Test captain ever. At home, his record was jaw-dropping with 24 wins in 31 matches.

Away from home, he brought about the change Indian cricket had been craving for decades. Sixteen overseas wins, including back-to-back series wins in Australia and memorable victories in England and South Africa, stamped his authority as a leader who could win anywhere.

The Pace Revolution

More than just results, Kohli will always be remembered for backing fast bowlers like no Indian captain before him. Along with Ravi Shastri, he built a fearsome pace cartel: Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and later Mohammed Siraj. They ran through batting line-ups across the world.

That shift from spin-heavy tactics to relentless pace power was Kohli’s biggest legacy. His bowlers hunted in packs and India became a side that could throw punches in any condition.