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In a revealing conversation with Dinesh Karthik, former India skipper Virat Kohli shared that while many view him as a legendary Test cricketer, it was captaining India that brought him his greatest joy.
Dinesh Karthik reveals Virat Kohli’s emotional insight on Test captaincy
Kohli, who stepped away from Test cricket in May 2025, described leading the country as the defining moment of his career. This sentiment found a surprising echo in India’s current captain Shubman Gill. Speaking on Sky Sports, Karthik revealed that Gill echoed Kohli’s philosophy, saying he now thinks more about what the team needs than about personal milestones. The 25-year-old has already shown signs of this transformation with a fearless leadership approach, putting team goals ahead of individual flair.
“Athers, you spoke about Virat Kohli. I met him a few days ago, and this talk about captaincy came up. He said people think’, I’m a great Test cricketer. I enjoyed my Test batting, which I did, but the fact is that getting my captaincy was the best thing to happen in my life,” Karthik said in response to Michael Atherton.
Dinesh Karthik: I met Virat Kohli a few days ago — he said, 'Getting Test captaincy was the best thing to happen to my batting.'
— Gaurav (@Melbourne__82)
Gill, who took over as Test captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, has embodied this selfless mindset. He has not only led India to a historic 336-run win in Edgbaston to level the series but has also scored prolifically under pressure. With 585 runs in two Tests at an average of 146.25, including two centuries and a double-ton, Gill’s commanding presence at the crease reflects both responsibility and brilliance. His performance has left pundits and former cricketers lauding his early leadership, drawing parallels with Kohli’s legacy not just in attitude but in sheer impact. Karthik believed that this mental shift in Gill makes him one to watch, someone destined to lead India into a new era of Test dominance.
“Why I am saying this is that the same line was used by Shubman Gill. He said, I used to bat differently. But now, after I’ve got captaincy, I almost, when I’m batting, think this is what my team requires – rather than me wanting to do something individually as a batter – which I thought, wow,” the former Indian cricketer added.
From King Kohli to crowned prince Shubman Gill
Gill’s captaincy arc seems to be unfolding as a seamless baton pass from one legend to a potential future icon. The comparisons between Kohli and Gill have only grown stronger after Gill’s twin centuries in Edgbaston, 269 and 161, made him the first player to score 200 and 150 in the same Test. Karthik, who has closely watched both players, pointed out that Gill’s maturity, reflected in his willingness to adapt his batting style for the team, mirrors what Kohli once did as captain. According to Karthik, this level of understanding at such a young age speaks volumes of Gill’s leadership potential and places him firmly in line to emulate, or even surpass, Kohli’s legacy.
“Now, this is something the world of cricket has to take notice of, because here’s nan who has the appetite, who has the skill, who’s got the technique. But now he’s got the mindset as well that says, I’m a captain. I’m going to lead from the front, lead off the front foot. And we saw that in the last Test match. I’m sure there are going to be a lot more Test matches for us to observe him. But it looks like he’s on the right path,” Karthik concluded.
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