WTC Final: ‘Legacy of teams and captains is defined by the trophies they win,’ says Aakash Chopra

WTC Final: ‘Legacy of teams and captains is defined by the trophies they win,’ says Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has stated that the legacy of teams and captains is defined by the trophies they win. He said this after the Virat Kohli-led side lost the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against New Zealand.

India suffered a trembling defeat against the Kiwis in the WTC Final at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton. NZ skipper Kane Willamson and Ross Taylor stitched a match-winning partnership against the Asian Giants to lift the maiden title of this tournament.

The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that India remained at the top of the ICC Test team rankings for several years. Moreover, they won overseas series against West India and Australia while the Blackcaps didn’t win anything out of their home in red-ball cricket during this WTC cycle. But ultimately, it is the result that matters and NZ emerged as the better team on the day of the final.

“The legacy of teams and captains is defined by the trophies they win; it doesn’t matter how many battles you win if you fail to win the war,” Aakash Chopra wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.

“This Indian team has stayed at the top of the Test rankings for five straight years, but unfortunately history will remember the one hour that India didn’t plan,” he added.

‘Wickets of Kohli and Pujara put them on the back foot’: Chopra

Kyle Jamieson celebrates Virat Kohli's wicket
Kyle Jamieson celebrates Virat Kohli’s wicket

The WTC Final was evenly poised before it went to the reserve day where Kane Williamson’s men turned the tables. Team India lost the wickets of skipper Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara in the first hour of play on Day 6 against the bowling of Kyle Jamieson. Later, they lost the important wicket of vice-captain and first inning’s top-scorer Ajinkya Rahane as well in the same session. 

Chopra highlighted that these quick wickets made things difficult for the national side and took the game away from their reach.

“They might have started the final day with the thought of forcing a result, but the twin wickets of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara put them on the back foot in the first hour,” the 43-year-old further opined.

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