• Home
  • Player Stories
  • Virat Kohlis Rcb Teammate Revealed How Super Aggressive He Was As India Captain

Virat Kohli's RCB Teammate Revealed How Super-Aggressive He Was As India Captain

Karn Sharma on Virat Kohli [X.com]Karn Sharma on Virat Kohli [X.com]

Virat Kohli's tenure as the captain of the Indian cricket team has been marked by his aggressive approach and his ability to lead from the front. Although his captaincy didn't lead India to an ICC tournament victory, Kohli ensured that the team consistently won crucial series, some of which had been elusive for a long time. 

Kohli took over the captaincy in 2013, with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy being his first major assignment as captain, stepping in for MS Dhoni, who was sidelined due to a thumb injury.

In a recent interview with former U-19 World Cup winner Manjot Kalra on his YouTube channel, veteran Indian spinner Karn Sharma reflected on his debut Test match under Kohli's captaincy. Sharma made his Test debut during the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide, a match that he recalls with fondness and pride. 

Dressing room atmosphere was quite good: Karn

Sharing the dressing room with Virat Kohli, with whom he later played in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Karn Sharma spoke about the unique atmosphere and leadership style that Kohli brought to the team.

"Making my Test debut against Australia in Australia will always remain special. Very few people get that type of start. The dressing room atmosphere was quite good. Ravi Shastri, the coach, was there. We were chasing over 300 runs in that match and Virat said 'no draw. We are going to chase it down'. That injected a lot of positivity among players in the dressing room," Sharma recalled.

Karn Sharma's debut was a challenging one, as Australia posted a formidable total of 517 runs in the first innings. Sharma, despite the tough conditions, managed to scalp 4 wickets, but conceded 142 runs in his 33 overs. India, in response, put up a strong fight, scoring 444 runs in their first innings, with Virat Kohli leading from the front with a century. 

In the second innings, Australia declared at 290 for 5, setting India a daunting target of 364 runs to chase on the final day. Despite the difficult circumstances, Kohli's intent to go for the win rather than settle for a draw left a lasting impact on the team. 

Karn Sharma praised Kohli's fearless approach, stating, "It was a different approach. Different captains have different approaches, but ever since he said we are chasing over 300 in the fourth innings of a Test – which was very tough in Australian conditions – it sends a wonderful indication to the players in the dressing room that your captain has different plans."

The match ultimately saw India falling short by 48 runs, but it was a game that showcased Kohli's determination and leadership. His 141-run knock, in partnership with Murali Vijay, nearly steered India to an improbable victory. 

Although the result didn't go in India's favour, the match is remembered for Kohli's aggressive captaincy and the positive energy he infused into the team.