Because of his dedication and selflessness, Virat Kohli is the epitome of an ideal run machine. Does anyone else make any comparisons?
Let’s start by saying that nobody could have played a better innings than Virat Kohli did yesterday, not even Sachin Tendulkar, AB de Villiers, or Viv Richards. The crowd rose in unison to honor him at the moment of the two runs that took him to 100. Tendulkar himself was one of them, and he appeared to be almost as happy as Kohli. Richards was there in the media center, lying low, and he was unable to stop admiring Kohli’s wristy power throughout his leg-side play and his dance down the pitch to Tim Southee, which set up the most amazing stroke over wide long-on for six. In the 1984 film 189 at Old Trafford, Richards emulates Bob Willis by doing a similar action, and the outcome is the same. To make a bowler of this caliber helpless, you have to be quite good.
Before dropping to his knees and taking off his gloves and helmet, Kohli initially leaped and struck the air. Then, very gently, he stood up, acknowledging friends, relatives, and the entire house with both arms lifted, as if he were a god waking up to the morning sun. David Beckham was standing next to Tendulkar, grinning as broadly as Garfield and cheering wildly. David needs to go out more, actually. What a great thing this cricket is.
It was an honor for me to be on the mic ten days ago when Kohli reached his 49th century in one-day international cricket. This was the same as Tendulkar’s total, despite the fact that Kohli’s total is based on many less innings. The arrival of number 49 at Eden Gardens, where the exuberant throng could not restrain themselves, was entertaining. Not me either. I have always loved it. My statement that Kohli is a man who writes his own scripts may sound cliche in sports commentary, but it is actually very true given the perfectly timed nature of his accomplishments.
He outsoared Tendulkar the day before and stood by himself atop the peak. Say it softly: “Fifty one-day international hundreds!” broadcaster Harsha Bhogle exclaimed. He stands out from all other players of the game, which originated in English county cricket in the 1960s and came to the attention of Kerry Packer’s business empire in the late 1970s, thanks to this incredible accomplishment. Played over 65 overs per side first, then 60, 55, and now 50, one-day cricket has become a mainstay of the sport. It takes the World Cups to remind us of its continued fascination, as T20 has recently taken over. Though they must be convinced, modern viewers will discover more the more they probe within. It’s not surprising that the top players of their generation in Test matches are also the best in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) when it comes to playing consistently good (read: extremely good) 50-over cricket.
It was recently stated by a former international player that Kohli is egotistical. He is, without a doubt. Isn’t that the main idea? Only the strongest survive; runs and wickets are self-serving things. No one could legitimately accuse Kohli of doing anything other than applying his personal quest of success to the team’s performance. Either jealousy or history motivated the remark, which was most likely sparked by the two innings in this tournament where Kohli used the strike to his advantage—one in Pune against Bangladesh and the other in Dharamsala against New Zealand.
KL is in Pune. Playing for this, Rahul, on the other end, made sure that Kohli had the best opportunity and that he, Rahul, did not score any of the runs that his partner need. The play’s captivating passage captivated and enthralled the audience. The spectators adored the little spectacle that Kohli and Rahul put on together as India easily won the game. Cricket was meant to be entertainment, and everyone saw that when Kohli hit a full throw into the stands to win the match and reach 100 runs, the applause was sufficient evidence. He was caught in the deep for 95 when it didn’t go so well against New Zealand. The game was slightly more difficult this time, but not dangerously so, and he had to press the problem. That does not sit well with the gods of cricket.
It used to be Richie Benaud’s advice to “be there at the end.” Even if there are eleven of you, someone needs to assume accountability. Critics label it as self-serving. Up until the point where you continue to win and the game remembers you as a fantastic player
I went to the stadium with Dinesh Karthik prior to the Pune match. Thousands and thousands of supporters were purchasing the blue India team shirts from street vendors by the side of the road. Over 80% of them had the name “Virat” on their backs, with the majority having the name “Rohit” on them. The true greats are usually identified by their given name or nickname: in golf, Jack, Seve, Ernie, and Tiger; in cricket, Viv, Sachin, Brian, MS, AB, Warnie, and now Virat. Hardly anyone on the streets of India has mentioned a man named Kohli, simply Virat, since the advent of mass media.
I once watched Virat finish a one-day tournament with Ian Healy while we waited to interview players after a match. After he ended with exciting back-to-back boundaries, I questioned Healy about his skill level. “I think he’s the best player I’ve ever seen, or will be if he goes on like this.” Yes, but you did say that regarding Tendulkar once. “Yeah… but now I’ve seen Kohli.”
My favorite batter has always been Tendulkar, along with Barry Richards. technically flawless and with a hint of David’s strength, even when facing a thousand Goliaths. Indeed, Sachin left his mark on field settings and frustrated bowlers alike with his on-dives. I remember, clearly, from Perth in 1991, Merv Hughes’s stunned expressions when this boy with a bat took him to the dry cleaners. Sachin started taking everyone to the cleaners after tweaking his almost flawless method for the day’s shorter games.
Arriving just behind Barry, Viv did so without hesitation. With full-size boundaries and minimal interest from the umpires in wide bowling, Viv scored an average of 47 runs at a strike rate of 90 in the 60-over match with the current bats. When he tore into England that day at Old Trafford to rescue West Indies from 102 for 7 and carry them to 272 for 9, he played by far the finest one-day innings of the age. For the tenth wicket, he and Michael Holding put on more than 100 runs, of which Holding made 12. With a commanding lead over West Indies, Viv concluded the match undefeated at 189.
Glenn Maxwell is the only one who acts like way.
There are other amazing one-day hitters who have dominated the game and called for comparisons to Viv at one point. The way cricket has changed over the centuries, I don’t think it’s a useful exercise. Three overs was the standard for the majority of an innings when one-day cricket first started. By the end, anything over four was hefty. The bats got better when the boundaries started to come in. Then T20 altered the playing field, with bowlers having to duck for cover as unbelievable strokeplay caught them off unprepared. Then, with the field boundaries tightened and two fresh balls, one from each end, batters had an extremely difficult time missing the canvas.
Our only option is to describe what we observe. Though Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist gave the Universe Boss a serious run for his muscle, Chris Gayle had the most power and De Villiers the most flair. Brian Lara was the cruelest cutter. The cunning Javed Miandad, the daring Virender Sehwag, the astute Kumar Sangakkara, and the mercilessly effective Ricky Ponting were among them. After some time, Rohit Sharma figured out how to outperform everyone. Rohit’s finest at batting is his best.
However, even Rohit isn’t as effective as Virat at his profession. The shirts followed. People are the best source of information. It is no accident that Virat is the country’s hero. His lively personality and commercial appeal are acknowledged equally with his professionalism and steadiness. Everyone is aware of his victories for India in games. True. That is the stock price, the share price, and the trading currency combined into one.
MOST SECOND-INNINGS HUNDREDS IN ODIS
VIRAT KOHLI
27
SACHIN TENDULKAR
17
ROHIT SHARMA
15
CHRIS GAYLE
12
TILLAKARATNE DILSHAN
11
SANATH JAYASURIYA
10
SAEED ANWAR
10
MARTIN GUPTILL
9
BRIAN LARA
9
SHIKHAR DHAWAN
Let’s jump straight to the chase when Virat presses the pedal during it. Maybe MS, the master, taught him how to take it deep. As much as he bats the target, Virat bats time. Virat himself is the best person to know that if he’s in, the opposition has a problem. In the chase, he has made 27 out of 50 hundreds. That statistic is amazing. Sachin is next best with 17. Virat scored from 279 innings, while Sachin’s came from 452 innings. Compute the numbers. Batting second, Virat averages 65.4; AB is the next best, roughly nine runs behind; and Michael Bevan, the underappreciated player, is breathing down his neck.
You have ice in your veins if you hunt like these guys do. Ask any successful person. The hunt is where the actual clarity, bloodthirstiness, and test of one’s own belief are revealed. It used to be Richie Benaud’s advice to “be there at the end.” If only. Accepting responsibility entails being present at the conclusion. That is over and above for many cricket players. Even if there are eleven of you, someone needs to assume accountability. Critics label it as self-serving. Until you keep doing it and succeeding, at which point you’ll be hailed as a hero by your nation and regarded as a legend in the game.
At home, Virat performs well, averaging 60.9. When away from home, Virat does well; his poorest average (in Sri Lanka) is 48.9. Yes, I am aware! It’s humorous. He still has a ways to go, but he has already surpassed Sachin. Could you picture him at a different World Cup? More direct, aggressive Virat. Yes, I can. He won’t be apprehended. Nobody. The cause is whatever the totality of obsession and sacrifice equals.
Therefore, there can only be one of two answers to the question of who is the best ODI batter. The two most powerful in their era. V Power is shared by both. Virat and Viv. Choose what you want. India as a whole voted for Virat yesterday. Even for Viv, that’s a big amount of ground to make up.
