Indian team have been unbeaten in Tests since August 2015. One tour after the other, Virat Kohli and company have showcased exemplary performances. Owing to India’s successive wins, Kohli has gone on to become the second best Indian captain who has been undefeated for 17 matches (13 wins and 4 draws). Trailing behind Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 18 matches without defeat, Kohli would look at equalling the record in the last Test of the year against England. So who is to be credited for India’s success?
Virat Kohli
This year has been exceptional for the Indian skipper. Leading from the front, the Delhi lad has certainly struck a purple patch with the bat. In 11 Test matches, he has made 1200 runs in 17 innings. His recent knock of 235 is the highest by any Indian captain in Test matches and he is the only Indian captain to score 3 double centuries. All of his double centuries came this year against West Indies, New Zealand, and England. In white clothes, he averages 80 with 4 centuries and 2 half-centuries. Kohli has been consistent with the bat in other formats as well. He has made 739 runs in 10 ODIs at an average of 92.37 with 3 centuries and 4 fifties. With an astonishing average of 106.83 in T20Is, Kohli has scored 641 runs in 15 games with 7 half-centuries to his credit.
R Ashwin
The off-spinner from Chennai has been spinning webs that have left batsmen bamboozled. Ravichandran Ashwin or ‘Record-breaking’ Ashwin has made it difficult to keep a tab on records that he has created and broken in his recent encounters. In 11 Tests, he has scored 545 runs with the bat and picked up 71 wickets. The all-rounder has 3 half centuries and 2 centuries to his credit at an average of 41.92. With an economy of 2.93, he has picked up 8 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket hauls this year. As for the records, Ashwin has 7 ten-wicket hauls which is the second most by an Indian after team India coach Anil Kumble who has 8. Ashwin is third on the list with 24 five-wicket hauls after Harbhajan Singh’s 25 and Anil Kumble’s 35.
There’s no doubt that both the players have been at the top of their game. With Virat Kohli being the best batsman in the world and Ashwin being the best all-rounder at present, who out of the two is a more consistent match-winner?
R Ashwin or Virat Kohli?
Poll results for Ashwin and Virat Kohli
Out of the 158 reactions, 106 were likes (for R Ashwin) and 51 were heart (Virat Kohli) with one reaction of surprise. While Facebookers said that both are equally good in the comments sections, Ashwin’s all-around capabilities helped him garner more reactions. Choosing between the two is indeed a difficult task, but the silver lining is that both represent India.
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