"That will be his great legacy"- Michael Atherton on Virat Kohli's stint as India's Test captain

Former England captain and veteran commentator Michael Atherton has heaped high praise on former Indian skipper Virat Kohli, stating that he is a huge admirer of how the 33-year-old drove the Indian Test team forward during his celebrated seven-year-old stint as the captain.

Kohli captained India in 68 Tests between December 2014 and January 2022, leading his side to 40 wins and just 17 defeats.

Under Kohli, India emerged from being the No.7 ranked side to becoming the best Test team in the world. India dominated the No.1 spot for 43 consecutive months between October 2016-April 2019 and were comfortably the best side in the inaugural cycle of the World Test Championship.

The greatest legacy of Kohli - the Test captain- will always be the fitness culture he brought to India's set-up, one that paved the way for the fast bowling revolution.

The constant drive to win overseas Tests defined Kohli's years as captain. While there were some setbacks, the series win in Australia (2018-19) and impressive wins at Lord's and Oval in the ongoing series will forever remain some of the greatest moments the team witnessed under him.

Not only Indian cricket, but Kohli has also been the most prominent brand ambassador of Test cricket of his era. Atherton believes this will forever remain his most significant legacy.

"I am a big admirer of his cricket, his batting and the way he has driven the Indian Test team forward as the captain and the way he has promoted Test cricket as well, I think that will be his great legacy," said Atherton during an interaction on Sony Sports.

Kohli is undergoing an extended lean patch, especially in the longest format of the game in the last two years.

The right-hander endured another failure in the ongoing Test as Matty Potts dismissed him for a 19-ball 11.

Atherton is hopeful that the champion batter will soon regain his touch.

"I know Rahul Dravid a bit better than Virat Kohli. It was nice to chat with them both, Rahul I played against and I have a very high regard for him. I wish him well as the coach of the Indian team and I hope Virat, after a couple of difficult years with the bat, can rediscover his best form," said Atherton.

Meanwhile, sensational knocks from Rishabh Pant (146 off 111), Ravindra Jadeja (104 off 194), and a record-breaking cameo from skipper Jasprit Bumrah helped India rack up 416 in their first innings.

In response, England were 1-16 when inclement weather stopped the proceedings on the second day.