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Gilchrist sees Clarke in Kohli's captaincy

Test legend draws comparison between retiring Aussie skipper and young Indian leader

Australian legend Adam Gilchrist believes the aggressive instincts of Virat Kohli will augur well for India as they look to improve their dismal away record in Test cricket.

Under the leadership of MS Dhoni and more recently Kohli, India have won just two of their past 26 Test overseas, extending back to June 2011 and including Monday’s second Test victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo.

That record includes 16 defeats, with eight draws.

Kohli first captained his country at Test level against Australia in the series opener in Adelaide last summer, scoring a century in each innings and leading a stirring push for victory on the final day that ultimately resulted in defeat.

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The right-handed batsman gained many plaudits for his bold attitude in that match, and was the natural heir to Dhoni’s throne when the keeper-batsman called time on his career at the conclusion of that series, despite some resistance from more conservative Indian quarters who took umbrage at his occasionally confrontational manner.

But Gilchrist is firmly in the pro-Kohli camp, suggesting his adventurousness has the potential to aid India in their quest to perform outside home conditions.

"I think his (Kohli) natural attacking style will help the team take on new frontiers," Gilchrist told The Times of India.

“He looks like the sort of guy who is prepared to take risks, certainly in his individual play.

"With time, he will learn more about his style of leadership – whether he is prepared to take the risks in winning or losing a match.

“He is a risk taker and I think that will make for positive cricket.”

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The former wicketkeeper-batsman also compared Kohli to recently-retired Australia captain Michael Clarke, whose teams were renowned for pressing for the win even if that meant risking defeat.

Clarke led Australia on 47 occasions, for 24 wins and just seven draws – the equal-fewest number (with Steve Waugh) of drawn results from any player to have captained a Test team on 30-plus occasions.

"I would say Kohli is very similar to Clarke,” Gilchrist added. “(Clarke) was also a risk taker with regards to being prepared to lose even when there is a chance to win.”

India beat Sri Lanka this week by 278 runs, allowing them to draw level in the three-match series and extending Kohli’s captaincy record to four matches for two draws, a win and a loss.

One of those draws was a rain-affected clash against Bangladesh that the Indians had largely dominated.

The third Test between Sri Lanka and India begins on Friday in Colombo.