5 factors behind India's 17-match unbeaten streak

#4 The captain’s form

Kohli has time and again shown his class

The captain’s form is crucial to a team’s chances given his confidence rubs off on other players. India has been lucky that way with a strong and aggressive captain who is in the form of his life with the bat. Kohli scored three double centuries this year, one of only five players to have ever done that in the history of cricket.

Since 20^th August 2015, Kohli has scored 1527 runs at 61.08 with 4 centuries and 4 half-centuries. Only Cook amongst the captains has more – 1785 runs at 46.97. The Indian captain’s average is second only to Steve Smith who has 1409 runs at 64.04.

Kohli also received his captaincy after the high he experienced with the bat in Australia with four centuries, despite India losing the series 0-2. That confidence has helped him carry his team on the shoulders despite being a batsman short on many occasions.