Gollum Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 (edited) Disclaimer first, no dig at Anushka or the reported pregnancy. We wish the couple well, let us not speculate about their personal lives or bring Kohli's family members into this. However no denying that both BGT 2020-21 and the current series are the fiercest challenges thrown at Team India in recent times. Kohli left for home post Adelaide surrender and it took skipper Rahane, coaches, seniors, rookies to come together and do something unprecedented, historic that time. Again right now, this is a series where our opponents look formidable and dare I say favorites, a rarity for our home fixtures. More so now that many of our erstwhile greats are either retired, injured or old/jaded. I have no doubt that this assignment wouldn't have been so problematic 5 years ago when we had prime Ash-Jaddu, Umesh-Shami, Pujara (we won BGT 2017 without Kohli's contribution)...but here we are, real possibility of losing the series. Kohli was fit both times, and also in good form. Will his absence both in Aus and here harm his overall legacy? Because he isn't someone who generally takes time off, and these are big assignments for Indian cricket, in the ultimate format, also part of WTC now. I don't remember past greats like Sachin, Lara, Sanga, Ponting, Kallis dropping off like that....even his contemporaries like Kane, Root, Smith always make themselves available for national duty when they are fit. Edited February 9 by Gollum tweaker, nitinbwj and raki05 2 1 Link to comment
Gollum Posted February 9 Author Share Posted February 9 (edited) Kohli also missed the Dharamsala test against Aus in 2017....we were precariously placed then. Granted he had some shoulder issue. but would he have made himself unavailable if not for his horrid run in 1st 3 tests, he had scored some 30 runs in those 3 tests, single digit average. Or maybe some friction with coach Kumble, which peaked in CT 2017, a few months after the BGT. Thing is he has missed too many big test assignments in the last few years. Edited February 9 by Gollum raki05, nitinbwj and Lone Wolf 3 Link to comment
Gollum Posted February 9 Author Share Posted February 9 From what I saw of him in RSA, I feel he would have plundered 500+ runs had he played this series, 2-3 100s maybe even big 100s. Flattest home pitches since 2019 RSA and Kohli had registered his highest test score in that series, foolishly didn't look for a 300 there. Rabada, Nortje, Philander, Maharaj>>>>>>>>this teletubbies Pom attack. Adamant, nitinbwj, AuxiliA and 1 other 2 2 Link to comment
nitinbwj Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 (edited) Oh.. Dont worry,he'll shamelessly play all IPL matches Edited February 9 by nitinbwj nevada and SRT100 1 1 Link to comment
MediumPacer Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 I won't blame him, specially if there are complications. Link to comment
sensible-indian Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 (edited) BGT 2020-21 - yes. Anthony de Mello 2024 - no Problem is Kohli has gone missing in many high profile home series. 2012 Eng series (he was a newbie but he actually looked very good in the middle but kept getting out) - won't hold this against him 2015 SA series 2017 Aus series 2021 Eng series 2024 Eng series The series where he did well and plundered runs 2016 NZ series (Kolkata knock on that up and down pitch was amazingggg - followed by a double ton) 2016 Eng series (man of the series) 2023 Aus series (played a crucial role in one of the 2 tests we won and scored big in the last test) The series he slapped around some damn minnows SL series 2017 and one more I forgot SA series 2019 Double centuries galore where he boosted his numbers massively. Kohli the test batsman has a huge legacy overseas. At home, he was ok (massively underperformed with respect to his talent and ability - his game against spin deteriorated a lot). Edited February 9 by sensible-indian Number 1 Link to comment
sensible-indian Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 2 minutes ago, sensible-indian said: BGT 2020-21 - yes. Anthony de Mello 2024 - no Problem is Kohli has gone missing in many high profile home series. 2012 Eng series (he was a newbie but he actually looked very good in the middle but kept getting out) - won't hold this against him 2015 SA series 2017 Aus series 2021 Eng series 2024 Eng series The series where he did well and plundered runs 2016 NZ series (Kolkata knock on that up and down pitch was amazingggg - followed by a double ton) 2016 Eng series (man of the series) 2023 Aus series (played a crucial role in one of the 2 tests we won and scored big in the last test) The series we slapped around some damn minnows SL series 2017 and one more I forgot SA series 2019 Double centuries galore where he boosted his numbers massively. Kohli the test batsman has a huge legacy overseas. At home, he was ok (massively underperformed with respect to his talent and ability - his game against spin deteriorated a lot). With all being said, no one will pay attention to all this. They will take a quick look at averages and call Kohli equally good home and away when that is soooo not the case. Link to comment
BacktoCricaddict Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 Will it? Maybe in the eyes of highly demanding fans and keyboard cricketers. Should it? Absolutely not. Kohli's on-field dedication while batting and fielding are exemplary. When he is playing, he is always supremely fit. He is out at slip, mid-on, long-on, deep cover - whatever the team wants. it is obvious that he is giving it everything he has and most of all, he seems emotionally invested in the success of everyone on the team. He may have technical issues, brashness issues and, at times, form issues, but I don't think he has ever had fitness issues or dedication issues. Given this, he deserves a huge benefit of the doubt and empathy. Do we know what is really going on? Some families have high-risk pregnancies. There could be a multitude of complications - reasons why he has to be with his family during late pregnancy and childbirth. And it is really none of our business to know the details so we can judge him and his wife. I trust that he is doing his best for his family because they need him and if there is an employer who doesn't quite get that, well, that is toxic. This is all speculation and I sincerely hope there is nothing complicated with Anushka and the baby. But everything that everyone is saying negatively is also speculation. If we don't know enough, we should assume the best of people and give them the benefit of the doubt. Just my humble opinion. nitinbwj and NameGoesHere 1 1 Link to comment
Serpico Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 (edited) I won't blame him for taking paternal leaves. But what's up with the planning though? Like its not hard to estimate when baby will be born, its just a simple math, give or take a couple of weeks on either side. And don't tell me this man who gets his beard trimmed to millimetre perfection every day, had two unplanned pregnancies. There's no way he didn't know what he was doing in 2020 or this time. He could have easily timed the delivery to april-may but chose not to. People will remember that this is a deliberate choice he made, not some sudden emergency thrust upon him Edited February 9 by Serpico nitinbwj 1 Link to comment
putrevus Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 Why will it affect his legacy.What kind of topic is this . Is this series something great or he is getting to face some great bowlers. Link to comment
Number Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 (edited) No I don't think so. Players miss series due to injuries etc. It is not like he was banned like Smith (or Warner). Moreover he is not a top tier ATG in tests anyway. Edited February 9 by Number Bigg Brother 1 Link to comment
putrevus Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 How is Kohli not top tier test batsmen. He is better test batsman than everyone except Sachin and Sunil in India. Only Smith is better test batsman than him among fab 4.Overall there is no contest, he is best batsman of this era. Link to comment
Bigg Brother Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 11 minutes ago, Number said: No I don't think so. Players miss series due to injuries etc. It is not like he was banned like Smith (or Warner). Moreover he is not a top tier ATG in tests anyway. This. Link to comment
sensible-indian Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 1 hour ago, Serpico said: I won't blame him for taking paternal leaves. But what's up with the planning though? Like its not hard to estimate when baby will be born, its just a simple math, give or take a couple of weeks on either side. And don't tell me this man who gets his beard trimmed to millimetre perfection every day, had two unplanned pregnancies. There's no way he didn't know what he was doing in 2020 or this time. He could have easily timed the delivery to april-may but chose not to. People will remember that this is a deliberate choice he made, not some sudden emergency thrust upon him Hard to plan these things tho. Fertility is at an low time low everywhere. Link to comment
IndianRenegade Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 He has a life outside cricket. Eff legacy. Link to comment
Gollum Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 (edited) Kohli fans on X are being very toxic, cheering Eng, mocking Indian players, wishing for us to lose. I think in their minds, if India wins this series in the absence (or non-contribution) of Kohli, his legacy will diminish. Already done twice, BGT 2017 and 20-21. Understandable because that will mean that Kohli isn't some special matchwinner and India does just fine in his absence. Edited February 10 by Gollum Link to comment
Trichromatic Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 No one will remember that Kohli missed x, y, z series while talking about Kohli. While remembering x, y, z people will say that India won despite Kohli not being part of team. nevada 1 Link to comment
rollingstoned Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Hope it really is due to pregnancy or some serious personal issue nd not some other reason we don't know about yet. AB also seems to have denied this after first confirming it. Link to comment
Gollum Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 So, out of the series and some reports indicating he will be out of action till September. Prayers and strength for his family. If he misses T20 WC and IPL as well, will be huge. However if he turns up for IPL....... Link to comment
Forever Indian Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 18 hours ago, putrevus said: How is Kohli not top tier test batsmen. He is better test batsman than everyone except Sachin and Sunil in India. Only Smith is better test batsman than him among fab 4.Overall there is no contest, he is best batsman of this era. There are so many better Indian test batsmen like Sehwag, Dravid, Laxman especially in term of impact. He is an ATG batsman in LOIs but a level below in Tests especially when it comes to our biggest series wins... nevada 1 Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now