Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir thinks that Virat Kohli’s effectiveness as a captain is based on the presence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma in the team.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the most successful Indian captain in terms of the number of ICC World titles won as he has won two world cups while Rohit Sharma on the other side has been the most successful skipper in IPL having led Mumbai Indians to highest four number of titles.
“Still a long way to go for him (Kohli). Kohli was very good in the last World Cup (in England) but he has a long way to go. He captains so well in international cricket because he has got Rohit Sharma, he had M.S. Dhoni for a long time,” Gambhir told reporters while interacting with the students of a university on Thursday.
Given Kohli’s record in IPL has been poor as a captain and according to Gambhir, your captaincy skills are tested when you don’t have the luxury of mighty talented in your squad to help you out.
“Captaincy credentials are noticed when you are leading a franchise when you do not have other players supporting you,” said Gambhir, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles in 2012 & 2014.
“I have been honest whenever I have spoken about this. See what Rohit Sharma has achieved for Mumbai Indians, see what Dhoni has achieved for Chennai Super Kings. If you compare that with RCB, the results are there for everyone to see”, the cricketer-turned-politician said.
Gambhir also thinks that limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma deserves a chance to open the batting in the Test format and backs him to be successful.
“I think K.L. Rahul has been given a longer run. It is time for Rohit to open the batting in Test cricket. If you pick him in the squad, he has to be a part of the playing XI. If he does not fit your playing XI, no point in picking him in the squad of 15 or 16. He is too good a player to be sitting on the bench.”
