“The end will come, not when others tell them” - Former India coach backs Virat Kohli & other Fab 4 batters during BGT 2024-25
Former Team India coach Greg Chappell believes modern-day greats such as Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root don't need to be told when their time is up in international cricket. Instead, Chappell reckons it's about going out on their terms with dignity.
Smith and Kohli have experienced a significant decline in the last few years, especially in Test cricket, which has been integral in their respective team not winning a major series, except Australia winning the WTC 2023.
Nevertheless, 33-year-old Root, the youngest among the three, is going through a purple patch and has surged to 36 tons in the longest format. Kohli has managed three Test hundreds since 2020, while Smith scored seven.
Writing in his column for The Sydney Morning Herald, the 76-year-old remarked:
"For players like Kohli, Smith and Root, the decline isn't dramatic. It's a subtle-a shift in approach, a caution that replaces the instinctive dominance of their prime. For Kohli, Smith and Root, the end will come - not when others tell them but when they know. The battle against time is not about winning; it's about finishing with dignity, on their own terms."
Although both India and Australia's No. 4 batters have scored a hundred each in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series, the duo have struggled against the new ball. The Aussie right-hander has 124 runs in three Tests while his Indian counterpart has two runs more.
"He now builds his innings differently" - Greg Chappell on Virat Kohli
The South Australian weighed in on the Indian legend's struggles, claiming that he is caught between wanting to attack and surviving. Chappell wrote in the same column:
"He now builds his innings differently, often needing 20 or 30 runs to regain the fluency that once came naturally. Confidence is everything for an athlete. When doubt creeps in, it disrupts the clarity required to dominate. Kohli's internal battle is clear - his desire to attack and his caution to approach with survival."
Chappell added that maintaining concentration for a long time is becoming a problem for Smith, unlike before.
"Smith's decline has been more mental than physical. Fatigue - both mental and physical - is a silent enemy. For Smith, maintaining that razor-sharp focus over long innings has become increasingly challenging. The weight of expectations from fans and teammates alike, only adds to the emotional toll," he added.
The five-match series between Australia and India is currently locked at 1-1, as the Boxing Day contest in Melbourne looms. The hosts must win it to stand a chance of reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Nevertheless, a win in Melbourne or Sydney will be enough for India to retain the crown.