Team India registered its first Test series win in Sri Lanka in 22 years. And, while that was a significant achievement in itself particularly after they lost the first Test at Galle in a highly disappointing manner, what stood out about India in the series was the ultra-aggression that they showed particularly during the last two Tests, Ishant Sharma becoming the face of new aggressive India. Being aggressive is definitely nothing wrong, but Team India, and Ishant, in particular, crossed the line at the SSC. As a result, he has been banned from the first Test against South Africa at home, which is a big blow to the team.
It is no surprise that Team India is stepping on to the field with a different mindset under a new captain. It is also not a coincidence that India's on-field behaviour has gotten worse rather swiftly. Each leader leaves his stamp on the team. Under MS Dhoni, India had a very poor Test record, particularly while playing away from home, but they hardly were in involved in any on-field animosity. This has changed rather quickly under Virat Kohli's regime -- for better or worse, time will tell. The change is attitude is no surprise as both Kohli and temporary coach Ravi Shastri believe in aggression
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While Kohli has backed Ishant's antics saying he is bowling his heart out for the team, Shastri has taken a more pragmatic approach, stating that while it is important to have that aggressive streak, one must know where to draw the line, indirectly indicating that Ishant did cross the line in Sri Lanka. What use is such aggression if it ends up getting your main bowler banned from a big match of a tough tournament?. Without doubt, India will find it hard to deal with a strong South Africa at home as opposed to a rebuilding Sri Lanka away. They need to learn their lessons from what transpired in Lanka, most of which was unnecessary.
India need to realise that what they displayed in Sri Lanka was more of arrogance and less of aggression. They took on Sri Lanka knowing very well that they were the stronger of the two sides, and hence had a great chance of winning. If that wasn't the case, why didn't they open their mouths when they were crumbling in Galle? If India want to play this brand of cricket, they must show such kind of arrogance against the Aussies, the inventors of the mental disintegration tactics. Would they dare to give David Warner the kind of send-off they subjected Kusal Perera to? We wonder.
The series win against Sri Lanka away from home is a massive boost to Kohli's captaincy early on in his stint. But, whatever tactics he adopts in the future, he will have to deliver results. He will be rated highly as a leader only if he can inspire the side to victories in tough conditions in Australia, South Africa, England and New Zealand. This is where Dhoni slipped miserably as a leader. And, that will also be Kohli's biggest challenge, aggression or not, arrogance or not.
--By A Cricket Analyst
