Are India a one-man bandwagon? Or more specifically, the Virat Kohli bandwagon?
According to Kohli, the answer is no.
Kohli enhanced his reputation as the world's best batsman with a fighting first-innings knock of 123 during the second Test loss to Australia on a tricky Perth Stadium deck.
The 30-year-old's gutsy effort gave India a chance of victory, but his lack of support meant Australia were able to cruise to a 146-run win early on the final day.
Kohli isn't only his team's best batsman, but also their spiritual leader.
When he is dismissed, India's sense of deflation is palpable.
Chasing 287 for victory against Australia, India still looked a chance to pull off an unlikely victory as Kohli helped move the score to 2-48.
But his dismissal all but signalled the end of India's hopes, with the team folding meekly from that point on to be all out for 140.
Cheteshwar Pujara's star displays in Adelaide, where he scored 123 and 71, proved that India can thrive even when Kohli fails.
Kohli wants his team to believe they can win from any situation, no matter what the odds are.
He denied there was any lack of belief from his teammates when he got out in the second-innings run chase in Perth.
"Even with Rishabh (Pant) and (Hanuma) Vihari overnight, they believed that they can get big partnership and win us the game," Kohli said.
"We believe all the time that we can win from any situation, and the guys in the dressing room believe they can do special things.
"If it's been done in the past and now we remember those names as great players of the game, why can't individuals coming into the team do the same thing?
"You have to dream big, you have to chase glory, you have to think of the ultimate situation where you are bailing the team out, where you are winning the game and that's the mindset that everyone takes out on to the field.
"As long as that mindset prevails and it's there all the time, you are heading in the right direction as a team."
