If Mumbai Indians have to bounce back, Rohit Sharma who will have to spark it in them. Whereas, Virat Kohli (left) has been able to inspire Bangalore in a much better way © IANS
Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are leading two of the most high profile teams in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015. Devarchit Varma explains why Kohli is rapidly outclassing Rohit in terms of captaincy. IPL 2015 Highest run-scorer: List of best batsmen in IPL 8
There is a reason why Virat Kohli has been named India’s 32nd Test captain. After the greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and VVS Laxman departed from international cricket, many promising cricketers have come into the fold of Indian cricket. The likes of Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Murali Vijay have helped India in a smooth transition — the away wins may not have come too regularly, but India has done well overseas — and have also laid down a strong platform for the Indian cricket team for the years to come. IPL 2015 Highest wicket-taker: List of best bowlers in IPL 8
Among all these players, the 26-year-old Kohli has stood out as an exemplary leader on the field. The right-handed batsman, who has been an unstoppable force with the bat, has also taken charge of leadership of the Indian Test side after Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s shocking retirement late last year. Dhoni continues to lead the team in the shorter formats, and there is no other better choice than Kohli to take the mantle once the incumbent walks away. IPL 2015 Most 6s and 4s: List of most dangerous batsmen in IPL 8
The slam-bang and thoroughly entertaining Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a platform for India and the other countries to test their next generation of players. However, IPL has also been a perfect platform for the Indian cricket management to see how the potential captains respond to the tournament’s vividness and pressure. IPL tests the best of cricketers’ abilities and mental strength. IPL 2015 Leading fielders: List of Best fielders in IPL 8
In 2013, Rohit proved to be a strong competition for Kohli, winning both the IPL and Champions League T20 that year. It looked like he was rapidly surpassing the latter in terms of success as a leader. Looking back at how things have panned out, it has been Kohli’s consistency and intent that has assisted him to remain as the first choice for India’s coveted captaincy.
The ongoing IPL 2015 can be a perfect case to study the leadership qualities of Kohli and Rohit. As far as firepower is concerned, both Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) are blessed immensely. Their coaching staffs too are heavily loaded with many former players and excellent cricketing brains joining forces. IPL 2015 most dismissals by wicketkeeper: List of best wicketkeeper in IPL 8
When there is such a huge amalgamation, teams tend to flounder because abundance does not necessarily promise good returns, and that has been the case with Mumbai Indians this season. Rohit’s team started off with four losses and as of April 27, they are reeling at the penultimate position in the points table with only two wins in five matches. On the other hand, Kohli’s team too started off on a rusty note, but they have shown character and intent to not fade away amid the glamour that is there in their ranks.
It all comes down to how Kohli approaches the game. Being aggressive as a cricketer as well as a leader, Kohli has led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to convincing wins in their last two games, against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Delhi Daredevils (DD). Of course, the return of Mitchell Starc has bolstered them, but Kohli has been working hard in the dressing room, and the aggressive intent has given them the returns. Kohli’s desire to win every time he walks out to play is reflecting in the way Royal Challengers Bangalore are playing currently, and if they continue to do so, they will be unstoppable this IPL. IPL 2015 Points Table & Team Standings
On the other hand, by the look of things, Mumbai Indians have seemed unsettled in this IPL. They have juggled their batting order quite a lot, and most of the time some of the moves have been baffling. Rohit started off the tournament with a splendid 98 not out while opening the innings, but since then he has had a mixed run. Rohit has scored two half-centuries but there have been two ducks as well. Their frontline bowlers Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh have too had a good tournament with 10 and eight wickets respectively, but the team has struggled in general to put up a consolidated effort. IPL 2015 schedule: IPL 8 match time table with venue details
If Mumbai have to bounce back and force their way into the top four, they will have to fire as a unit and it is Rohit who will have to spark it in them. There is no shortage of firepower in their ranks, but as of now, it is Kohli who has been able to inspire his team in a much better way. Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015: Complete coverage
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)