To get rid of Virat Kohli as a captain at the moment would be an absolute crime against cricket: Graeme Swann

Team India succumbed to a heartbreaking loss against New Zealand in the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) by eight wickets. The loss against the Blackcaps has brought a lot of criticism for the Indian team and especially the skipper Virat Kohli. 

World Test Championship was the third time when Kohli led India in an ICC event. However, all three times, India got out of the race of lifting the cup after losing in a knockout game. Poor performance in the knockout stage of the ICC events has been a major cause of worry for the Indian team. 

The same has also resulted in a few fans and cricket pundits demanding the resignation of Virat as a skipper. However, former England spinner Graeme Swann is completely against this idea as he backed the Indian skipper to continue his stint as a leader. 

Swann believes that India will commit a blunder by sacking Virat Kohli. The veteran heaped praises on the Indian skipper saying that he is an absolute champion and is 100% committed to the game and his team. The English star also believes that India lost the finals as they were underprepared as compared to the Kiwi side. 

“Virat Kohli is an absolute champion and a superstar. He has added steel to the Indian team. You only have to see his passion whenever a wicket goes. (Look at) His face when there is a misfield. He is 100% committed to that job. 

“To get rid of Virat Kohli at the moment, when you have such a good captain, would be an absolute crime against cricket. I don’t think they should look elsewhere. India lost that game because they were underprepared and under-cooked going into that Test match,” Swann told Sportskeeda. 

New Zealand had everything in their favor: Graeme Swann

Further in the interaction, Graeme Swann added New Zealand were at an advantage as compared to the Indian side. Playing a two-match Test series against England just before the WTC final helped the NZ players in getting back to the rhythm. India, on the other hand, had to suffice with the net practice and intrasquad games. 

“But it is very tricky when you think New Zealand had that two Test matches against England building up to this game. They knew their combination and were favorites for this Test match because of that. India just had net practice in Southampton.

“Nothing beats preparing for a Test match like actual Test match play. So New Zealand had everything in their favor when it came to who was going to win that game. That showed during the five days as India looked slightly rusty especially some of the batsmen,” the spinner concluded.