NZ v IND 2020: "Leadership not always determined by results", Kohli defends Williamson 

Williamson's captaincy has been under scanner since the disastrous tour to Australia.

Kane Williamson | GettyIndia captain Virat Kohli has come out in defence of his underfire New Zealand counterpart Kane Williamson, whose period out of form coincided with his team's disastrous results in Australia, leading to doubts over his leadership against strong oppositions. 

Williamson failed miserably with the bat and his tactics in Black Caps' 3-0 Test series whitewash down under and he will be under pressure to regain the lost mojo facing Kohli's almighty touring party. 

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Kohli, however, reckons people are quick to jump the gun on captains at this level and the success New Zealand has enjoyed over the years with Williamson leading from the front shouldn't be forgotten. 

"These kinds of things do come up every now and then, whenever you have a setback," Kohli told reporters before the start of the T20I series on January 24. "I think its a part of having that responsibility of captaining in all three formats. One thing that I have done is I just focus on what I can do for the team and the vision that needs to be there to take the team forward."

Kohli insisted Williamson has every right to decide his captaincy future. "I don't think leadership can always be determined by the results," he said. "It's also about how you can get the team together and get the guys functioning under you as well, which I think Kane has done wonderfully well."

"He has the respect of his team-mates and he has the trust of his team-mates, is what I can see, and he's also a very, very smart cricketer. If a team outplays you, you have to accept it as a collective failure, and not a lack of leadership or captaincy, is what I think."

"People get onto that side of things too early and sometimes I think it is better to let the individual decide himself. If you have given him the responsibility, I am sure he will decide whether he is good enough for the job any more or not as well."

Williamson, on his part, clarified he is willing to step aside if New Zealand thinks there is someone better to lead the team. "For me, it's always been about what's best for the team," he said. "If those discussions are to eventuate and collectively there's a thought that it (finding new captain) would be best for the team, then my stance is whatever is right and fits the group. I'm always open to whatever is going to move the team in those directions."

(Inputs from PTI)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 23 Jan, 2020

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