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New Delhi: It is not often that you see India winning a Test overseas but Virat Kohli’s penchant for taking calculated risks could buck that trend, feels Australian great Adam Gilchrist.
“I think his (Kohli) natural attacking style will help the team take on new frontiers (winning overseas and conquering final frontiers). He looks like the sort of guy who is prepared to take risks, certainly in his individual play,” Gilchrist told PTI during an interaction.
“With time, he will learn more about his style of leadership — whether he is prepared to take the risks in winning or losing a match. He is a risk taker and I think that will make for positive cricket,” Gilchrist, who was on a quick visit to India, further said.
The win against Sri Lanka in Colombo was India’s first after nine Tests, all away, besides giving Kohli his maiden victory as captain. India are yet to win a series in Australia and South Africa.
The stylish captain brings fresh energy to the team as the new leader but India’s performance abroad remains a worry, something that has acknowledged by the BCCI top brass especially secretary Anurag Thakur.
In Kohli’s style of captaincy, the dashing wicketkeeper-batsman found shades of Michael Clarke, who retired from international cricket a couple of days back.
“I would say Kohli is very similar to Clarke. He (Clarke) was also a risk-taker with regards to being prepared to lose even when there is a chance to win. Look he was a world class batsman. The leading batsman in the world for number of years. He was a wonderful servant for Australian cricket. I am sure he will do well in retirement,” said Gilchrist.
Asked about Australia’s painful loss in the Ashes and Clarke’s successor Steve Smith, Gilchrist added: “It is a fresh start. Michael Clarke was a wonderful servant to Australian cricket but Steve Smith has shown he has got the capacity to take the team into the future. I think he will do a wonderful job.”
