Virat Kohli birthday: Top 5 on-field quotes by Kohli 

Let's get straight to the point. Today is the birthday of Indian captain, Virat Kohli, who celebrates his 29th version at the peak of his powers. The former U19 captain's rise over the years has been astonishing as he has stamped his name as the best batsman in the world - at least in ODIs.

However, he is one of those players who never shies away from controversy and always fires back when something is thrown at him. And this is a list of just that as here are 5 of his best quotes on the field.

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#5 Know your limits

So, we all know how we are always asked to keep pushing and expand the boundaries of our so-called limits. But there is also another side of the coin as we are also reminded not to fly too high as we risk burning our wings just like Icarus did when he flew too close to the sun.

It seems as though Virat Kohli is of the latter kind – at least in this incident – as he was caught on the on-field mic saying, “Stay within your limits.” This incident happened in 2014 when Kohli was standing in as captain for the unavailable MS Dhoni.

It was the fourth day of the Test between India and Australia and Rohit Sharma, who was bowling as a part-time option, delivered one which struck Steven Smith’s leg. The subsequent appeal was turned down, but Smith had something to say to the bowler which didn’t go down well with the Indian captain.

Kohli then chirped: “You got an issue with everyone? Stay in your shoes, I can sort you out...”

Warner then ran from the non-striker's end towards the striker's end to calm down both the parties and that’s when Kohli asked the captain to stay within his limits.

#4 Don’t waste time

Kohli has a history with Faulkner

Remember how our parents always told us to not waste time and instead study so that we could learn and then face unemployment earn a lot of money and buy cars and mansions with it?

Well, Virat Kohli did the same to James Faulkner, but it wasn’t because he wanted Faulkner to finish his education, it was because he wanted the bowler to bowl instead of attempting to sledge him.

“Don’t waste your time, go bowl,” said Kohli to Faulkner, who replied, “having fun, aren’t we?”

The former U19 captain then dropped the bomb that destroyed the Aussie all-rounder. “I have smashed you enough in my life, no point, go bowl.”

It wasn’t over as, after Virat smashed him for a boundary, he once again quipped: “Pass a slip back there.”

And that, my friends, is a lesson on how to counter someone who is trying to bully you.

#3 Rubel spat

Rubel is happy after grabbing Kohli's wicket

Ah, now begins the fun part. I was so looking forward to this slide simply because aggressiveness is what defines the Indian captain. Yes, the earlier slides do depict his aggression, but this one is the raw, unadulterated version.

Rubel Hossain and Virat Kohli have shared a long-standing rivalry wherein the two have had on-field disputes ever since they faced each other in the U19s. Kohli continued the trend in 2011 when he under-edged Rubel Hossain’s delivery right back at him.

The Bangladeshi pacer then gave the Indian a look, something which didn’t go down well with the latter. He instantly replied: “Kya hain bey ch****a?! M** ki ch**t ball dal.” That’s what I could infer after seeing his lips move, but rest assured, it wasn’t something pleasant.

#2 The suggestion

Kohli's hand gesture directed towards Smith

This one made the rounds for quite a while after the event. The Steven Smith v/s Virat Kohli rivalry was a thing of interest for news outlets as it gave them something to gossip about. After the dismissal of Smith in the first T20I in March earlier this year, Kohli made a ‘chattering’ hand gesture to the Australian.

After that, he said, “Go chirp in the dressing room now.”

That comment drew some controversy as most people thought it was a dig at Smith for wearing a mic and commentating live from the field while batting. Afterwards, however, the Indian skipper cleared the air and suggested that it wasn’t because of Smith’s commentating that he said that, rather, it was due to his constant attempts to bully debutant, Hardik Pandya.

#1 Kohli’s insinuation

Kohli ripped into the Aussie team during the press conference

This doesn’t entirely fall into the ‘on-field’ category, but the reason why he said these words were because of a spat between him and – surprise, surprise! – Steven Smith. After Umesh Yadav’s delivery kept low and struck Steven Smith right in front of the wicket, the players went up in unison and the umpire obliged and raised his finger.

Smith then walked towards Renshaw following which he turned towards the dressing room to seek advice – something the umpire and Kohli spotted and ran towards him to stop him. Kohli was absolutely livid and had a go at Smith in the post-match press conference.

“We take our decisions on the field ourselves. We don't ask for confirmation from upstairs," said Kohli, who refused to use the word ‘cheat’.

"I saw that happening two times when I was batting out there. I pointed that out to the umpire as well that I have seen their players looking upstairs for confirmation.

"And that's why the umpire was at him. When he turned back the umpire knew exactly what was going on.

"We observed that, we told match referee and the umpire that it's been happening for the last three days and it has to stop," the Indian captain added.

"There is a line that you don't cross on a cricket field. Sledging and playing on the opponent's mind is different but I don't want to mention the word but it falls in that bracket. I would never do something like that on the cricket field."