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Why Ashwin will be a better captain than Kohli


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A fresh set of perspectives in this article on Deccan Chronicle. Quoting the entire article as it makes it easier to quote and comment further Source : http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150315/sports-cricket/article/wc-2015-here%E2%80%99s-why-ravichandran-ashwin-will-be-better-captain-virat

Mumbai: Virat Kohli, who is pitted as the next Indian skipper after Mahendra Singh Dhoni, seems to be doing a great job as the current vice-captain of Team India in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. Kohli’s stint has proven to be a vital one for the side but his captaincy can face a big challenge from none other than India’s leading spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin. Virat Kohli was the first Indian batsman to score a century against Pakistan in the World Cup. (Photo: AP) Kohli has shown signs of leading from the front when in December last year after taking over the reins from Dhoni in the Tests against Australia in Melbourne. He scored back-to-back centuries with a highest score of 169 in Melbourne. Captaincy is not only about making the right decisions but also being immune to unnecessary criticism. The ability to tackle the media is as important as the skill to play the bouncer or make the right move. A captain who does not possess these abilities will only be left stranded in the middle. Ravichandran Ashwin became only the second Indian spinner after S Venkataraghavan to bowl three maiden overs in a World Cup match. He achieved this feat against archrivals Pakistan in a high-pressure game. (Photo: AFP) Kohli’s recent altercation with a journalist was something that Team India did not want specially with a stupendous winning streak backing them as they go into the quarterfinals, but in came in the timely intrusion and intelligence of Team Director Ravi Shastri without which this situation would have easily snowballed out of control. Thankfully, the Board of Control for Cricket in India subdued the issue without any further damage. With MSD’s career unlikely to extend for long, it is important that India seeks a captain with sufficient emotional intelligence – someone as ‘cool’ as Dhoni. Student of the game : Ravichandran Ashwin is one who studies his game and in turn acts accordingly. This statement has been echoed by numerous cricket veterans, the latest being former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming. Ashwin, who has worked for six years under Fleming (coach of Chennai Super Kings) has earned praises from the Kiwi legend due to his ‘work ethic and sincerity.’ Fleming also went on to say that the India’s prime performer is in a way a “cricket tragic, statistically motivated.†Calm behaviour Captaining India, one needs to be composed and yet aggressive in his approach. Ashwin possesses this quality more than Kohli. With cricket developing each day, the conduct off the field is as important as the manner on the field. With pressure always being your enemy it’s never an easy task captaining a side. Anyone who takes up the job has to accept the fact that even his personal life will be under scrutiny. Ashwin, who is a traditionalist when compared to the more flamboyant Kohli can fit the slot as he is unlikely to generate any controversy. Knows how to tackle the media If there’s anyone who can match up to Dhoni’s skills of handling the media, then Ashwin is right up there. It was Ashwin who attended the first press conference post the Kohli incident. He handled tricky questions from the media with intelligence that many journalists were heard opining at the end of the interface that India needed a player like him to succeed Dhoni in the hot seat. Although he did differ with journalists on many occasions, he kept his stand and in a way was successful - a trait of a captain in the making? Technology and on-field behaviour Latest technology such as the spider cam has just brought the audience closer to the pitch. On-field behaviour plays a big role in reducing the pressure on the team and the player itself. Kohli has sometimes pushed his aggressiveness beyond the limit that sometimes can be uncontrollable. Television cameras, in most occasions, focus on the skipper of the team and hence expressions and responses need to be safeguarded. In such a scenario, Kohli’s swearing will not help. It should be noted that in big events like the World Twenty20 Championship, Champions Trophy and World Cup, his performances have been outstanding.
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Been advocating Ashwin for captain for a while. He just needs to secure a spot in the team. Seems to be bowling a lot better this WC (barring last match). But, yeh agree with most of what is written in OP.
He first needs to secure a spot in the team. It will be unfair to players like Axar Patel,Ojha or other spinners as they wont have any motivation to do better. One spinner spot can not be permanently occupied by Ashwin.
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Though I agree with the idea, the article seems to focus too much on on-field behavior and maintaining calm. While I agree these are important factors, consistent performance, cementing a place in the team and ability to lead and motivate are three important factors the article fails to address.... For me the biggest deterrent for Ashwin is his being a bowler... Making him captain means, he has to play every match that India plays, irrespective of conditions or his performance

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He first needs to secure a spot in the team. It will be unfair to players like Axar Patel' date='Ojha or other spinners as they wont have any motivation to do better. One spinner spot can not be permanently occupied by Ashwin.[/quote'] Can't help that... One wicketkeeper spot was permanently occupied by Dhoni for 8 years in all formats... Killed the careers of so many wicket keepers
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Can't help that... One wicketkeeper spot was permanently occupied by Dhoni for 8 years in all formats... Killed the careers of so many wicket keepers
Are you serious? Dhoni deservedly occupied that spot. He is one of the top all time match finishers/winners in odi cricket history. On the contrary, Ashwin is probably just as good as Venkatpati Raju when it comes to giving bowling confidence
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Kohli's aggression is not the problem. His failure to channelize it is. That is why I suggest bringing a strong personality as coach. See no further than Anil Kumble :om:. Rat has played and worked under him. So they already have history of a working relationship.

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Can't help that... One wicketkeeper spot was permanently occupied by Dhoni for 8 years in all formats... Killed the careers of so many wicket keepers
Lol, what a joke post. How many wicketkeepers in history average over 38 in test cricket and over 50 in ODI cricket? Not to mention having captained the team to three ICC trophies and test no1 ranking?
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Are you serious? Dhoni deservedly occupied that spot. He is one of the top all time match finishers/winners in odi cricket history. On the contrary, Ashwin is probably just as good as Venkatpati Raju when it comes to giving bowling confidence
In Tests? Dhoni has been in the test team for the last 2 years only for the lack of an alternative... And Ashwin has been the first choice spinner even when he isn't captain... That answers your question
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In Tests? Dhoni has been in the test team for the last 2 years only for the lack of an alternative... And Ashwin has been the first choice spinner even when he isn't captain... That answers your question
Dhoni hasnt performed as a test captain in last few overseas series to England and Australia justifes Ashwin selection as Captain. what kind of logic is that? Secondly, Another captain (Not MSD), may have choosen another Spinner or pacer on these overseas tracks.
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He first needs to secure a spot in the team. It will be unfair to players like Axar Patel' date='Ojha or other spinners as they wont have any motivation to do better. One spinner spot can not be permanently occupied by Ashwin.[/quote'] So what? If he is good enough to secure a place as our first spinner. Then no harm in making him captain.
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He is a bit like Kumble in some ways except he has to focus on his main skill.He will be a good vice captain though . He is a sharp intelligent guy. But when it comes to man management you need to gain respect as a player among your peers. Did you see how Sammy did not find it amusing when Holder took him off after one over. Not sure how good Ashwin is in handling such things.

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Locking a spinners slot is not a good idea. When he is in bad form, and there are better backup spinners in team, it will be a big problem. Apart from that, I would prefer a guy with an aggressive and hard working attitude (kohli) than a lazy laid back one (ashwin).

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