Virat Kohli made a mistake 8 years ago, during an India vs Pakistan match, as highlighted by his former coach.
Virat Kohli’s legacy is unparalleled, particularly in his role as captain. From 2015 until 2021, Kohli, India’s most successful Test captain, oversaw a revolution as the team’s skipper. India accomplished a lot under his leadership, including challenging England in Test matches at home, winning the ICC Test mace for five years in a row, winning their first Test series in Australia, and participating in several memorable ICC tournaments. Who can forget India finishing first in the group stage of the 2019 World Cup in England?
Like any other captain, Kohli has won India many accolades, but he has also had some setbacks. The fact that Kohli was unable to lead India to an ICC trophy is his worst failure as captain. India won the 2017 Champions Trophy, advanced to the semifinals of the 2019 World Cup, and made it to the final of the first World Test Championship, but they were unable to deliver the decisive blow. What hurts the most is the CT final against Pakistan. After thrashing Pakistan in their group-stage match just ten or so days prior, India was the clear favourite to win the match. However, everything went wrong on the day of the final, beginning with the toss.
India chose to bowl and paid the price for a decision that will always be hotly contested. Pakistan amassed 338/4, led by 114 from Fakhar Zaman. The legendary Indian batting order was smoked out for 158 in response, crumbling like a deck of cards. Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, who was a member of the team management, recalls the match eight years later and acknowledges that captain Kohli and other decision-makers misinterpreted the situation.
“That day, we made a mistake. After winning the toss, we ought to have batted since, in England, you always check the sky to see if there are any clouds. And the entire day was bright. I believed that the team management involved in that call, as well as the decisions that were taken, were incorrect. That crew included myself as well. Rohit Sharma, veteran player MS Dhoni, coach Anil Kumble, and captain Virat Kohli were all involved. During an ESPNcricinfo conversation, Bangar stated, “It wasn’t a one-man decision.”
Anger was consuming Hardik Pandya.
India was quickly reduced to 6/72 after losing Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. Only when Hardik Pandya was batting and hitting a barrage of fours and sixes did India have any chance. However, a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja caused all doors to close with his run-out. Pakistan won the Champions Trophy under Sarfaraz Ahmed after defeating England by 180 runs in the final. This was their first ICC championship since the 2009 T20 World Cup.
“The target was too steep even when Hardik and Jadeja were batting. He had a solid innings and hit a few big sixes, but when we lost the top order, we were out of the game. Despite his anger, Hardik refrained from venting it on his teammate. ‘I could have won this match for India’ was more of an insult to him. The gamer should be left alone in such a situation,” Bangar continued.