Virat Kohli - The flawed "hero"

Virat Kohli is one of those players who are immensely passionate about their game. At times he looks too animated to be a top class player. But then there are top players around the globe from different sports who are as animated as he is.

Kohli often finds it difficult to keep his emotions in check. He never minds baring them in public. When asked about his constant use of cuss words on Cricket field on one of the talk shows, he diligently said, “I say those words to myself and not to anyone else”.

In the early 90’s when India was falling apart as a nation they needed a hero. A hero they can identify with. And they found one in Sachin Tendulkar. He was every bit a person a middle class Indian can relate too.

Move forward to 2013, twenty years later, India is a completely transformed nation. Not only it is one of the fastest growing economies (though the current GDP growth rate is hovering around only 5%) but it is also one of the youngest nations in world. System value of an average Indian has changed. He is independent, assertive and don’t mind taking bold decisions.

Kohli is no Tendulkar not at least now. He does not unite, he divide opinions. While there are many who admire his style of play other would often talk about his on field behavior. When he found himself in middle of yet another on field spat (with Gautam Gambhir this time) in IPL this year, he was framed as villain. Kohli may have been wrong there too but the ugly scenes could have been avoided had Gambhir didn’t retaliate.

There have been many other incidents when Kohli’s demeanor was found wanting. On the one hand he criticizes Wankhede crowd for booing him while on the other hand he abuses Chennai Super Kings fans after losing to them. He even condemns opposition tactics for not playing in the spirit of the game.

Kohli is somehow reminiscent of the guy in the college, who would indulge in every possible fight, is highly temperamental and has more stooges than friends yet he would pass the exams with distinction.

For the kids at the grass root level, Kohli is their hero. For a generation that likes to watch Cricket match at Pub, Kohli is the hero.

Barring Sachin Tendulkar, all the batting stalwarts of India are either retired or have lost their forms. Tendulkar won’t be around for long too. He has been the ray of hope for more than two decades. In his absence Kohli would be the flag bearer Indian batting.

In spite of all the controversies, he remains India’s biggest batting hope. He has already won innumerable One day matches for his country. He has started to find his feet’s in Test matches too and it won’t be late that he would taste the same success in the longer format too.

His celebrations are over the top, he swears for no reason, he may have a temper issue too yet he is currently India’s biggest hope.

There may be hundreds of things to dislike about Kohli but at the end of the day he does his job. With a bat in his hand, he has the ability to take on the best in the world. Virat Kohli batting in the middle gives fan the confidence.

India has successfully transitioned in one day Cricket and to do the same in test, Kohli will be the key. Next World Cup is less than 500 days away and hewould be crucial to India’s success.

Three years back when Anil Kumble said, “I had thought hard before calling Kohli the best under-22 player in international Cricket”, even he would have not thought that Kohli would come such a long way.

With all the talent in world, time on his side and brilliant start to his career, Kohli stand a very good chance to end his career being one of the greatest batmen of all time.

As time would pass he should be able to curb the rage and anger in his demeanor. Till then he may remain flawed yet he would continue to be a hero for giving his best and bringing the glory to his country.