Onward and upward: Virat Kohli's unparalleled sojourn
The rise of the Indian captain, Virat Kohli.
Such is the reputation of the right-handed batsman from Delhi whose records are growing faster than India’s population. Regarded as one of the greatest players in the modern era, Virat Kohli is on the verge of creating a milestone even the celestial Sachin Tendulkar couldn’t match. If he steals Steven Smith’s top spot in the ICC Test rankings, he would become the first player in the world to hold the number 1 spot in all three formats.
The prodigy started his career young, representing Delhi in both Under-15 and Under-17 categories before leading the Under-19 Indian squad to victory in 2008. He soon made his debut for the national team and the world laid eyes upon a new rising star. And before long, Kohli was churning out runs at a pace many thought impossible. He became the fastest player in the world to score 8000 runs in ODIs and 1000 runs in the T-20 format. Regardless of the spot he bats at, his technique remains flawless and his performances consistent.
But the journey for the Indian captain hasn't been a cakewalk. Having lost his father at an early age to facing losses in the family business, he’s seen it all. Many argued that the load of captaincy on his shoulders would affect his performance. But nothing has deterred the passionate and workaholic Virat from writing the saga of undeniable greatness. His captaincy records are a prominent proof of that
Comparisons are inherent in the world of sports as a result of which many compare Kohli to India’s previous run-machine, Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar was a symbol of India’s sporting supremacy and many felt that his achievements were so great that there was little room for any other player to share the space on his pedestal. But, with another genius in the picture, some believe that Kohli’s brilliance can even surpass Sachin’s greatness.
With over 52 centuries in his pocket and an average of over 50 in all three formats, Kohli has done justice to his tag as one of the best cricketers in the world. The Indian team under his captaincy are bludgeoning opponents repeatedly. With the World Cup due in two years, it’ll be interesting to see how India’s batting sensation fares in the coming years.
