Virat Kohli remains one of the biggest icons of modern cricket. After Sachin Tendulkar, fans consider him the most influential Indian cricketer. His records, intensity, and fan base set him apart. Even today, many youngsters follow cricket because of Kohli.
However, recent comments by former cricketers have sparked a fresh controversy. Senior players openly questioned Kohli’s captaincy record, especially in white-ball cricket.
Tom Moody’s Strong Criticism
Former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody made sharp remarks on Kohli’s leadership. Speaking on the Jio Hotstar show Rise of Champions, Moody said Kohli “seriously disappointed” as a white-ball captain.
According to him, India should have won more ICC trophies under Kohli. He added that expectations were very high, but the results did not fully match them.
Harbhajan Singh Echoes the View
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh supported Moody’s opinion. He said Kohli succeeded as a Test captain but failed to deliver big titles in ODIs and T20Is.
Harbhajan highlighted major setbacks. He recalled the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final loss to Pakistan. He also mentioned the 2019 World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand. India failed to chase a modest target of 240 runs in that match.
Aaron Finch Offers Balance
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch took a more neutral stance. He said strong teams always face heavy expectations from fans.
Finch explained that match conditions and pressure play a big role. Therefore, not every loss should be treated as a failure.
Manjrekar Questions Selection Calls
Sanjay Manjrekar raised concerns about team selection. He said decisions taken during Kohli and Ravi Shastri’s tenure often disappointed fans.
He felt inconsistency in selection affected team balance in key tournaments.
AB de Villiers Defends Kohli
In contrast, AB de Villiers stood firmly by Kohli. He criticised judging players only by World Cup trophies.
De Villiers said branding a great player as “useless” for not winning a World Cup is unfair. He stressed that cricket success depends on many factors, not just one tournament.
Debate Continues Around Kohli’s Legacy
The contrasting opinions have divided fans and experts alike. While critics point to missed trophies, supporters highlight Kohli’s overall impact.
Even after stepping down as captain, Virat Kohli continues to dominate cricket discussions. His legacy remains powerful—and controversial.
