Sanjay Bangar says Virat Kohli changed India’s image in Test cricket with his aggression

Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar said Virat Kohli played a key role in changing India’s image in Test cricket with his aggressive style. Kohli took Indian cricket to new heights in the red-ball version while leading the team to glory in overseas conditions.

Under Kohli’s leadership, India took the attack to the opposition and played aggressively in all conditions. Kohli was also able to lead from the front and did a great job in getting the best out of the players.

Kohli amassed 9230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. The veteran led India in 68 Test matches, winning 40, drawing 11 and losing 17, and thus he is regarded as one of India’s most successful Test captains. 

India also made it to the final of the 2021 World Championship final but could not cross the final hurdle against New Zealand under Kohli’s leadership.

“Virat Kohli has a natural character, like brash, in your face and that was his natural character. A natural character always feels right. Why did Amitabh Bachchan’s films work in the 1975-1980 era? It was because there was this thought of an angry young man and in the Indian society, anger was somewhere simmering,” Bangar said while speaking on DD Sports. 

“Indian cricket needed some aggression because our fabulous four had retired and Kohli had to take cricket forward, which he did in his own style. He changed India’s image completely in how they approach Tests,” Bangar said.

Kohli recently announced his Test retirement in May after he scored 190 runs in five Test matches on the Australian tour and was continuously troubled by the outside off-stump line, getting dismissed while trying to play through the covers.