Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, has praised Virat Kohli for his relentless dedication to Test cricket.
According to Gambhir, Kohli played an essential role in promoting Test cricket at a time when shorter formats were rapidly gaining popularity.
During an interview shared by BCCI.tv, Gambhir acknowledged Kohli’s deep connection with the longest format of the game.
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What legacy does Virat Kohli hold in Test cricket?
Reflecting on his own journey, Gambhir pointed out that, for his generation, Test cricket was always the pinnacle.
He shared, “When I was coming through the ranks, especially in a time when the T20 format and the IPL didn’t exist, first-class cricket was the ultimate goal.”
When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object—cricket’s greatest paradox, personified! 👌 👌
Presenting an iconic interaction between #TeamIndia Head Coach @GautamGambhir & the legendary @imVkohli 👏 👏 – By @RajalArora & @Moulinparikh#INDvBAN | @IDFCFIRSTBank
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 18, 2024
He added that while limited-overs formats like T20 and ODI brought excitement, Test cricket remained the true measure of a cricketer’s greatness.
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“While playing in the limited-overs formats was exciting, we always believed that we would be judged by our performances in red-ball cricket. The legacy you leave behind in the sport is deeply tied to how well you perform in Test cricket. You played a massive role when you spoke about how important Test cricket is for you,” Gambhir explained.
How did Kohli’s captaincy elevate India’s Test status?
Kohli took over as India’s full-time Test captain in 2015, succeeding MS Dhoni, and led India to new heights in the format.
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Under his leadership, the team secured the top spot in the ICC Test rankings and achieved historic overseas victories.Kohli’s tenure as captain also saw India reach the final of the first-ever World Test Championship in 2021.
