Reflecting on his Test debut against Australia in Adelaide in 2014, Karn, now 36, highlighted how Kohli’s approach as captain left an indelible mark on the team.
Kohli, who took over the captaincy from MS Dhoni in the middle of the Test series, immediately set the tone with an aggressive mindset that would come to define his tenure.
“Making my Test debut against Australia in Australia will always remain special. Very few people get that type of start. The dressing room atmosphere was quite good. Ravi Shastri, the coach, was there. We were chasing over 300 runs in that match and Virat said ‘no draw. We are going to chase it down.’ That injected a lot of positivity among players in the dressing room,” Karn recalled, emphasizing the fearless attitude Kohli brought to the team.
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The leggie noted that this bold approach was a departure from the norm and something that left a lasting impression on the players.
“It was a different approach. Different captains have different approaches, but ever since he said we are chasing over 300 in the fourth innings of a Test – which was very tough in Australian conditions – it sent a wonderful indication to the players in the dressing room that your captain has different plans,” he added.
This moment, Sharma believes, encapsulated Kohli’s unyielding spirit, a trait that has become synonymous with his leadership. Despite the challenges, Kohli’s demeanour never wavered, even when the runs didn’t come easily.
“He didn’t get runs, but to be honest, it never looked as if he was out of form. He always gave that impression that everything is fine. Through his preparations, fitness, mental approach, Kohli never appeared too bothered or was fretting over the fact that he had a bad Test series,” Sharma concluded.
