Virat, the pied piper of modern Indian cricket

DURING the second day of the fifth Test between India and Australia in Sydney earlier this year, when Jasprit Bumrah (the stand-in captain) had walked off the field, Virat Kohli took charge.

- GOMESH @Chennai

Even before that moment, he was actively playing a role. Sydney, however, was different. Kohli was the stand-in captain with Bumrah not taking part in the rest of the game. And for a little over 24 hours, it seemed like time had travelled backwards. Kohli was doing what he had done best, leading India in Test cricket.

All cameras were on him. Not a moment was missed, not a gesture was unnoticed. He would be standing in the slips, reacting to every ball, celebrating every wicket like it was his, frustrated after every play and miss like it was life or death. While doing all this, he also made every fan, Indian or otherwise, feel what he felt, go through the emotions he went through. The Indian contingent was egged on while words and gestures were exchanged with the Australians. Kohli even imitated Cameron Bancroft moment from 2018 to show he got no sandpaper in his pockets.