Brett Lee's brother Shane claims Virat Kohli's captaincy makes Indian team more agitated

Indian captain Virat Kohli is set to make a return into playing XI in India’s upcoming home Test series against England. Earlier, cricketer took a paternity leave after first Test of four-match series against Australia in December 2020. In Kohli’s absence, stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane took over captaincy and led India to a 2-1 series win Down Under with victories in second and fourth Tests.

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Shane Lee believes India thrives without Virat Kohli’s captaincy

A depleted Indian unit ravd with injuries recently won series in Australia by making a comeback from ir 36 all out drubbing at elaide Oval. Several key players unavailable due to injuries coupled with Kohli’s leave of absence prompted many youngsters and replacements to cover for ir senior players. With a panon of former cricketers and experts praising India’s bench-strength after ir memorable win, a certain Australian quick believes that Indian team actually flourished because of Kohli’s leership absence.

Former Australian speedster Shane Lee recently lauded Ajinkya Rahane while speaking on Afteron Sport Podcast. He praised Rahane at Kohli’s expense, claiming that Indian players appear “almost scared” to “put a foot out of line” while playing under latter’s leership. According to him, Kohli demands “absolute professionalism” from his team while players appear to be more “relaxed” under Rahane.

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Shane Lee, also a bror of ar Australian bowling star Brett Lee, said that he would make Ajinkya Rahane India’s Test captain if he was a selector. Shane believes that even though Virat Kohli is “one of greatest batsmen of all time”, a relief from captaincy would help his batting even more, a view which former England captain Michael Vaughan also expressed recently.

India vs England 2021 series

On January 19, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) anunced an 18-member Indian squ for Test series against England. Apart from return of Virat Kohli, speedsters Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma are also making a return to ir line-up after recovering from ir respective injuries.

Moreover, recent debutants like Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj also mand to retain ir spots in squ for ir impressive outings in Australia. Here is a look at entire Indian squ as well as a detailed itinerary for India vs England 2021 Test series.

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Virat Kohli centuries in Test cricket

Despite questions being raised over his leership attributes, his captaincy record indicates that he is most successful Indian Test captain of all time with 33 wins. Captaincy aside, even Kohli centuries column as an individual makes for a staggering re in Test cricket. He has scored 27 tons in format and his batting stats also includes 23 half-centuries.

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Im source: AP