Commencing with the role Virat Kohli played in changing the Indian coach, it's been fascinating to watch the influence of current International captains on their respective teams
Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli
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Commencing with the role Virat Kohli played in changing the Indian coach, it's been fascinating to watch the influence of current International captains on their respective teams.
Kohli didn't have the same harmonious relationship with Anil Kumble that he enjoyed with Ravi Shastri when he was Team Director. The fact that India has now reverted to Shastri as coach, begs the question, 'Why change something that isn't broken?'
The captain should have the coach he wants. If a coach is to be inflicted on a captain then at least it should be someone with whom he's comfortable.
On the subject of captains and selection, I'm not in favour of the skipper being on the panel. I used to believe the captain should have a vote, but I was dissuaded of that notion by the wise counsel of Richie Benaud. He explained that a captain might be tempted to justify his choice by utilising a player in favourable circumstances.
Joe Root is a good example of Benaud's theory on the captain having input into selection but not a vote.
It was widely trumpeted that Root got the team of his choice before the first Test and this seemed like a good idea after England comfortably won the opening joust.
Nevertheless, the Australian fast bowlers would've been salivating when they saw that Root chose as his number three batsman, a Yorkshire teammate and former flat-mate in Gary Ballance. There's no doubt Ballance is a determined cricketer and a successful first-class batsman but his flawed technique and limited range of shots isn't suited to the number three spot in Test cricket.
The ideal number three should be able to take charge of an innings at some point and Ballance is too easily tied down by not only accurate pace bowlers but also good spinners. The other dubious Root choice was spinner Liam Dawson.
There's always a red flag when a spinner is chosen because he can make runs; England already has a capable one of those in Moeen Ali and he's a better bowler than Dawson. On the evidence of Lord's, it's time Moeen was recognised as England's premier spinner.
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