New Delhi: As Virat Kohli returns to domestic cricket for the Vijay Hazare Trophy this week—his first appearance in the tournament in 15 years—the sight of him in white pads during practice has reignited a fierce debate. Critics and fans are questioning why the BCCI hesitated to reinstate Kohli as a stopgap captain during India’s recent Test crisis, while Cricket Australia (CA) has repeatedly turned to Steve Smith in similar situations.
A Tale of Two Captains
The contrast in how the two boards handle their veteran legends is striking. While both players have faced leadership controversies, their paths back to the helm have been vastly different:
- Steve Smith’s Resurrection: Despite the infamous “Sandpaper-gate” ban, CA has repeatedly placed its faith in Smith as a makeshift leader. On Tuesday, Smith was confirmed to lead Australia in the Boxing Day Ashes Test at the MCG after Pat Cummins was ruled out. This marks the eighth time Smith has stepped in to lead since 2018.
- Virat Kohli’s Finality: Kohli, India’s most successful Test captain, retired from the format on May 12, 2025, following a turbulent Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite a vacuum in leadership and a 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand earlier this year, the BCCI opted for “forward-looking” choices like Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul as stopgaps rather than returning to their most experienced general.
The Cost of a “Forward-Only” Policy
The BCCI’s reluctance to look back is a tradition dating back to 1999 (when Sachin Tendulkar was reinstated). However, many argue this “only move forward” mantra cost India dearly in 2025:
| The 2025 Test Slump | Impact of Lack of Leadership |
| New Zealand Series | India suffered its first-ever 0-3 home whitewash. |
| Australia Tour | A “meek surrender” led to the Test retirements of Kohli and Rohit Sharma. |
| South Africa Series | A 2-0 defeat marked India’s second home series loss in a single year. |
Critics suggest that handing Kohli a “stopgap” captaincy could have stabilized a dressing room reportedly fractured by rifts with head coach Gautam Gambhir. Instead, Kohli chose to walk away from the format entirely, cited by some as a result of a lack of backing from the board and selectors.
A Bittersweet Domestic Return
Kohli is set to play for Delhi against Andhra on December 24, but only for the first two matches. While the BCCI’s directive forcing seniors into domestic cricket is meant to “prove form,” many see it as a missed opportunity to utilize Kohli’s leadership in the national whites one last time.
“The baton is carried forward, not given back. But in a year where the juggernaut crumbled, the BCCI’s refusal to turn to their ‘Mr. Fix-it’ has left many wondering ‘what if’.”