Can Virat Kohli Convert Home Advantage India's Way in Tests vs South Africa?

"Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown". Having lost two limited overs series at home under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy, Test captain Virat Kohli will have his job cut out. Tasked with changing India's cricket fortunes, both with his bat and wisdom, Kohli will now feel the pressures of captaincy. (Virat Kohli and Co Start Plotting Revenge)

During the Twenty20 and ODI series against South Africa, Mahendra Singh Dhoni faced a lot of heat and flak after India lost the T20I and ODI series 2-0 and 3-2,  respectively. On Monday, while Dhoni was having some fun and banter with West Indies dasher Chris Gayle, Kohli was preparing for the first Test in Mohali from Thursday. (R Ashwin Main Threat for South Africa: Faf du Plessis)

Kohli's faces a daunting task. South Africa have not lost a series away for close to 10 years. In Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Imran Tahir, their phalanx of pace, bounce, guile and metronomy have made them a potent side.

In the last 15 years, India have gotten the better of South Africa in a series only once and that was in 2004/05 when they defeated them 1-0. Since then, they have held South Africa to a stalemate at their own den.

First Test series at home for Kohli, the captain

Former India player Sanjay Manjrekar, speaking to ESPNCricinfo, has said that playing his first Test series at home will be an exciting prospect for the new Indian Test captain. He said that Kohli had changed since he first took over the captaincy and says that it is this factor that could prove to be a positive factor for India.

"My first impression of Kohli was that he was an eager captain who came in with big ambitions. He attacked, talked a lot about winning matches, using five bowlers and taking 20 wickets," Manjrekar stated. During the Sri Lanka series, Kohli had aggressively spoken about the five bowler theory and the need to attack. The result was India's first overseas win in Sri Lanka after 22 years.

However, the result in Sri Lanka was not smooth sailing. India lost in Galle and after some changes, they won the next two Tests in Colombo to win the series. Manjrekar believes that Kohli is not stubborn when it comes to changing tactics.

"He is happy to change his original plans. He was willing to be a lot more patient after the defeat in Galle and was willing to play the waiting game. After the Sri Lanka series, he is patient, a little bit more mature and is willing to change his tactics," Manjrekar added.

Kohli, more pro-active than Dhoni

However, Kohli is far different from Dhoni in that he is lot more involved in the game. While Dhoni adopted a wait and watch approach and allowed things to happen, Kohli was far more pro-active in Sri Lanka.

"Kohli is constantly in the game and he talks a lot to the bowlers. Dhoni did not advice bowlers on their field placements and their skills. It always baffled me that why Dhoni, who had one of the sharpest minds in cricket, never offered advice to the bowlers when it came to field settings, skills and the kind of lengths bowlers should bowl.

"Kohli has a better dialogue and communication with the bowler," the former India player and respected television commentator said.

Manjrekar believes that the Sri Lanka experience will make Kohli a more mature captain against South Africa. India will need Kohli's maturity and great form if they are to survive.

After starting off with a century in Galle, Kohli has averaged just 26 with one fifty in the last six innings. The time to lead from the front has arrived and all hopes will be resting with Kohli.