'India needed that' - Sanjay Bangar likens Virat Kohli's persona to Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘angry young man’

Published - 07 Sept 2025, 22:17 IST | Updated - 07 Sept 2025, 22:31 IST

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar has drawn parallels between Virat Kohli's temperament and Amitabh Bachchan's 'angry young man' roles in the Bollywood industry back in the day.

Bangar, who was India's interim head coach in 2017, felt Kohli's natural character of being 'in your face' was something that Indian cricket required at the time, especially since the entire setup was undergoing a transition following the retirements of the seniors. He also shed light on why Bachchan's films created a stir, likening the same concept with Kohli and Indian cricket.

“Virat Kohli has a natural character, like brash, in your face, and that was his natural character. A natural character always feels right. Why did Amitabh Bachchan's films work in the 1975-1980 era? It was because there was this thought of an angry young man, and in the Indian society, anger was somewhere simmering,” stated Bangar in an interaction with DD Sports.

The 52-year-old complimented how Kohli's demeanour brought a transformation in Indian Test cricket and changed its image for the good.

“Indian cricket needed some aggression because our fabulous four had retired, and Kohli had to take cricket forward, which he did in his own style. He changed India's image completely in how they approach Test cricket,” he added.

Kohli's record speaks for itself, especially in the red-ball format. He skippered India in 68 Test matches between 2014 and 2022 and ended as the most successful captain in Indian Test cricket history. Under his captaincy, the Indian team registered 40 wins, 17 losses, and 11 draws - a win percentage of 58.82%. His tenure also saw the team reach the number 1 ICC Test team ranking.

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As things stand, Kohli has announced retirement from T20Is after the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 and Tests ahead of the five-match England-India Test series. He is expected to don the Blue next during the three-match ODI tour of Australia.