Former England spinner Monty Panesar made a bold statement on Virat Kohli’s Test captaincy future after India’s embarrassing defeat in the first Test against England in Chennai, saying the skipper might take a huge call on his captaincy if India loses the second Test starting February 13.
Kohli returned to the national duty in the first Test after his paternity leave, but his comeback was not the best at all both as batsman and captain, as Team India was thrashed by England by 227 runs in the first Test of the ongoing four-match Test series in Chennai on Tuesday.
Following the massive and crushing defeat against England, the right-hander has been facing backlash from all quarters and Panesar believes that Kohli will be under pressure, considering the fact how well Ajinkya Rahane led India in Australia and his record as Test captain.
The former cricketer further pointed out the fact that the Indian cricket team has now lost four Tests in a row under Kohli's captaincy and if the number goes to five in the next match against England, he reckoned Kohli could step down as captain in the longest format of the game.
Speaking to WION, Panesar said, “Virat Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen of all-time. But the team is simply not doing well under him and we have the result in the last four Tests that India played under him.
I think Kohli will be under pressure and more now because Rahane has done phenomenally well as the captain. India has already lost four Tests in a row and if the number goes to five in the next match, then I think he will step down from his role.”
Lauding England’s incredible victory in the first Test and Joe Root for his remarkable double ton, former English spinner said: “It is an unbelievable win. The way England have played over the last five days show how much confidence is there in that team.”
Panesar signed off by saying, “Joe Root needs to be lauded for the way he led his troops from the front. Everyone in that team stepped up in some manner and that is what makes team sport great. The players need to savior this moment. It will be celebrated for long.”
