Kohli's Test Captaincy Boosted Batting Prowess, Claims Karthik; Gill Echoes Sentiment

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has revealed a conversation with Virat Kohli regarding the influence of Test captaincy on his batting performance. Karthik drew parallels between Kohli's experience and the recent observations surrounding Shubman Gill's captaincy.

Shubman Gill in action during the Test match.

Speaking on the Sky Cricket podcast, Karthik recounted a recent discussion with Kohli before the Edgbaston Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy: "I met him a few days ago and we were just chatting generally. And this topic about captaincy came up."

Kohli reportedly told Karthik that assuming Test captaincy had a positive effect on his batting. "And he said, you know, people think I'm a great Test cricketer and I enjoyed my Test batting — which I did. But the fact is that me getting my captaincy was the best thing to happen to my batting," Karthik stated.

Karthik further emphasized the significance of Kohli's statement by relating it to similar comments made by India's current Test captain, Shubman Gill.

"Why I'm saying that is the same line was used by Shubman Gill as well," Karthik revealed.

Gill, according to Karthik, expressed a shift in his batting approach since becoming captain. "He said, I used to bat differently. But now, after I've got captaincy, I almost, when I'm batting, think this is what my team requires — rather than me wanting to do something individually as a batter — which I thought, wow."

Karthik believes this change in mindset is crucial for Gill's success: "Now, this is something the world of cricket has to take notice of, because here's a man who has the appetite, who has the skill, who's got the technique."

He added, "But now he's got the mindset as well that says, I'm a captain. I'm going to lead from the front, lead off the front foot. And we saw that in the last Test match."

Karthik concluded optimistically, "I'm sure there are going to be a lot more Test matches for us to observe him. But it looks like he's on the right path."

The five-match Test series between India and England is currently tied at 1-1. The highly anticipated third match is set to commence at Lord's on Thursday.