LESSON FROM ZIMBABWE

India’s long season cricket campaign finally came to a fairytale end on Saturday as India completed a 5-0 whitewash against a low ranked team Zimbabwe. From June 6 to August 3, India has played as much as 15 ODIs having won 13 out of them. Many won’t remember India’s first historic away series whitewash against Zimbabwe but this inconsequential tour has one positive side for Indian cricket. India went Zimbabwe with its ‘B’ team with some players were making their respective debut for the country. As selectors are looking for the future, this was an ideal tour to test the team’s bench strength. From bowlers to batters, everyone have decently performed giving selectors a wide range of choices for the next home series against Australia couple of months from now on. But the highlight of this series was Virat Kohli’s captaincy. Yes, India was expected to sweep the series but the way Kohli led the side & make them be thoroughly professional on the field is really commendable. India is not short of leaders; some players of the World Cup winning team have led the side, but one had to look for Dhoni’s successor & now selectors have that option.

Kohli has proved his composure during his captaincy not only against Zimbabwe but also previously against Sri Lanka & West Indies in last month’s tri-series in latter’s den. Yes, his composure will be tested against top teams like England, Australia or South Africa if he is given a chance but going by his performance on the field recently one should be satisfied as captaincy didn’t hamper his form for once infact, he added two centuries to his tally. Zimbabwe may not be the ideal opposition to test your skills, but many of this Indian team will savour their achievements as this will boost them in most important tour of South Africa where they will be part of India A & may be Indian team later this year.