Picture : ICC/ X
After the legendary Sachin Tendulkar bid adieu to the game in 2013 , Indian cricket fans were asking after the God Of Cricket whom ? the answer would soon come – Virat Kohli .
The rest as they say his history . Virat kohli took over where Sachin Left . Taking over the mantle from the Mumbai Bomber to become India’s batsman who carried the hopes of the nation on his shoulders. And he has done that with aplomb over the years. Across all formats of the game .
Virat Kohli is undoubtedly a modern day great and will go down as one of India’s greatest batsmen and be part of the elite league comprising – Sunil Gavaskar ( 1971) , Sachin Tendulkar ( 1989), Rahul Dravid ( 1996) . A sequence according the years they arrived on the scene. Kohli came in 2008 .
When one is premier batsman then hopes ad dreams of billions are on the shoulders . It is no easy task . But Virat Kohli has lived up to that billing by setting his own standards . In 15- year International cricket already Virat has already become an icon with his fitness regimen in the cricket world . Playing across all formats with same – aggression, passion, , grit and determination is not easy. But he has done that. In the field Virat brings in his energy and passion while fielding and while batting he is a sight to behold when he is full flow . Virat keeps fielders busy with his hard running between the wicket , one’s and two’s are run with aggression . And of- course one cannot miss when he hits those gorgeous cover drives and straight drives. The body, balance , power arms , shoulders are in full display.
From the city of Joy 🌆
On his 35th, he got to his 4⃣9⃣th ODI ton 🔝
Surreal and RAW emotions: “𝙊𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙘” with man of the moment – Virat Kohli 👌👌#TeamIndia | #CWC23 | #MenInBlue | #INDvSA
WATCH 🎥🔽 – By @28anand
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 6, 2023
In imperious form Virat is treat to watch. And hence it was fitting that when he finally scored his 49th ODI ton and equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s record. The relief on his face was clearly evident . And the master could not chosen a better day to hit his 49th ton. That on his 35th birthday at the iconic Eden Gardens against South Africa.
It was typical Virat innings – soaked the pressure and gradually built his innings with his signature shots- cover drives, straight drives, flicks and running between the wickets . And the celebration after the landmark ton was rather muted unlike Kohli some would say . No Chest thumping , no jump , just raising the bat and acknowledging applause from the crowd and his team- mates in the dressing room. Those angry celebrations are now sights of the past . Perhaps it has something to do with the presence of a certain Rahul Dravid “The Wall” of Indian cricket in the dressing room as Head coach of Team India .
In- fact while scoring his 49th ton Virat has upstaged Sachin . While Tendulkar scored his 49th century in his 451st ODI innings, Kohli got there in just his 277th innings in his 289th match. Sachin Later in X tweeted on Virat
Well played Virat.
It took me 365 days to go from 49 to 50 earlier this year. I hope you go from 49 to 50 and break my record in the next few days.
Congratulations!!#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/PVe4iXfGFk— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 5, 2023
“Every opportunity to play for India is big one for me. To be able to do that on my birthday, in front of the whole crowd, it’s stuff of dreams, something that as a child you wish had happened,” Kohli said after his record-equalling innings. “I am very grateful to God that I have been blessed with these kinds of moments, so much love from the fans as well and just continue to help the team in any way possible.”
Moreover, , India have remained unbeaten, only team so far in the CWC23 and have reached the semi- finals . With whom they play will be known later. Indian fans hence would want Virat Kohli to continue in his rich form as they know there is the unfinished business at hand – Lifting the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup at the Narendra Modi stadium On November 19.
