By Dr Makarand Jewrikar
“For these 60 overs, they should feel hell out there!” This was Virat Kohli’s most iconic pep talk on the tour of England. And it pretty much sums up his captaincy tenure. He was a ‘no nonsense’ and fearless captain and player who took on all strong opponents, like Australia, head on. He could look them in their eyes and challenge them, something of a rarity in Indian cricket.
Called it a day
Now, Virat Kohli has called it a day. And it has led to the cricketing world gasping in surprise. “As I step away from this format, it is not easy – but it feels right,” said Virat as his diehard fans reeled in disbelief and sorrow.
Tributes from other legends
His retirement announcement was followed by tributes from not only cricketing legends but also from other sports celebrities like ace tennis player, Novak Djokovic and football star, Harry Kane, which reflects the global appeal of this iconic superstar of Indian cricket.
Shining star
Virat was a shining star from the very beginning. A case in point is the way he led the under-19 Indian team to World Cup victory. His aggression and talent, which caught the eyes of the selectors got him fast tracked to the Indian team. His hunger for scoring big runs consistently over the years made him an extraordinary player.
Cricketing icon
But, despite this, he has often drawn attention to the fact that he was very aware of his limited abilities and he confessed that he was not a gifted player like Sachin Tendulkar or Rohit Sharma. But that did not deter him and he worked hard on his abilities. He got himself to be extremely fit, and with his fiery passion and ability to adapt himself to situations across all conditions made him an indisputable cricketing icon.
Ushered in new era
He took over as captain in the middle of the series in Australia in 2014, and ushered in a new era of aggression, discipline, fitness and overseas dominance. He always backed his fast bowlers, which never happened before as India always relied on spinners. He loved test cricket and took India to glory in this format. His stats alone are not enough to tell the story of his greatness. He was much more than that!
Thank you, King Kohli!
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