Bhuvneshwar Kumar Credits Virat Kohli’s Passion for Transforming India’s Test Squad

RCB's Bhuvneshwar Kumar lauded Virat Kohli's aggressive captaincy for transforming India's Test team and instilling a hunger in the players.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Credits Virat Kohli’s Passion for Transforming India’s Test Squad

Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed that Virat Kohli should be credited for tranforming India's Test squad. (via Youtube)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar credited Virat Kohli for transforming India’s Test side, during his captaincy stint. Kumar noted that Kohli’s aggressiveness and passion helped India triumph in Test cricket, while also creating a sense of hunger among the players. 

Virat Kohli served as India’s Test captain from 2014 to 2022. He went on to guide the Men in Blue through an uninterrupted period of dominance, while becoming the country’s most successful red-ball captain. In 68 matches, Kohli led India to 40 wins, 11 draws and 17 losses. Under Kohli’s captaincy, the Indian team accomplished a significant milestone by securing its maiden Test series win in Australia, in 2018-19.

Adding to the team’s achievements, the 36-year-old also led from the front as a batter. He scored 5,864 runs in 113 innings at an average of 54.80, hitting 20 centuries and 18 half-centuries, recording the most runs scored by an Indian captain in Tests. However, Kohli had to step down as captain in January 2022, following a disappointing 1-2 Test Series defeat to South Africa, away from home.  

The Indian team hasn’t enjoyed the same success since then, under Rohit Sharma‘s captaincy. The Indian Test side most recently suffered two back-to-back series defeats. They were whitewashed 3-0 by New Zealand at home, followed by a dismal Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat to Australia. It has left many, including IPL star Bhuvneshwar Kumar, questioning the BCCI’s decision to remove Kohli as Test captain.

Speaking on the RCB podcast, the 35-year-old firmly stated that Kohli was instrumental in transforming India’s Test cricket team. He emphasized that Kohli’s aggressive approach was key to India’s dominance in Test matches, explaining that the 36-year-old’s passion was contagious within the team. He further added that such aggression is essential in the demanding five-day format of Test cricket.

Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar also spoke about his possible return to the Indian national team, stating that he would do nothing special for that. The 35-year-old pacer last played for the Indian Test team in 2018. He had flourished under Kohli’s captaincy, taking 33 wickets in just nine Test matches during that time. However, Kumar has moved down the pecking order since then, struggling to make a comeback.

The way Virat [Kohli] captained in the Test cricket, I will give credit that the way transformation happened. I think the reason for that is the nature of Virat on the ground, he is agressive…

Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Virat Kohli (H/T Mint)

Virat Kohli is recognized for nurturing the success of numerous Indian fast bowlers in Test cricket. With Rohit Sharma having retired most recently, it will be noteworthy to see if the 36-year-old is reinstated as captain when India tours England for a five-match Test series.

Gautam Gambhir refuses to confirm whether Virat Kohli will be a part of the England tour

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to share details about the inclusion of Virat Kohli in India’s Test side, for the upcoming England tour. Gambhir clearly stated that he is not the selector of the Indian side, and does not have a say in getting the players together for the squad.

Gautam Gambhir on Virat Kohli
Gautam Gambhir refrained from confirming Virat Kohli’s presence in India’s squad for the upcoming England tour. (India Today)

Virat Kohli has been struggling with the bat in red-ball cricket, it remains to be seen whether he gets picked up. Kohli scored just 190 runs in the the 2024-25 BGT, at an average of just 23.75. Ahead of the much-awaited England tour, head coach Gautam Gambhir, upon being questioned about the duo’s presence in the side, refused to comment on it, while stating that the selectors are the ones who decide. 

The job of the coach is not selection, it is the job of the selectors to select. The public should know, that the selectors select, and the coach, only from that squad, selects 11 players to play the match.

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir to reporters (H/T Hindustan Times)

He even added that the five BCCI selectors, headed by Ajit Agarkar would only be able to answer the question on Virat Kohli’s availability. Several new faces could be considered for the upcoming England tour, including Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Rajat Patidar and Shreyas Iyer.