TW Newsdesk, Nov 5: Virat Kohli, one of the biggest name in the World cricket at present. Born in 1988 the former captain of Indian men’s cricket team turns 34. He is said to be the best example of hardwork and dedication. The story of how a boy from a middle-class family becomes The King- Kohli of 130 crore people inspires many young cricketer of today’s generation.
Hailing for a middle-class family of Uttam Nagar Delhi he did his first schooling from Vishal Bharti Public School. He started his cricket training when he was nine years old. The right-hander captained Delhi U15 team in the 2003–04 Polly Umrigar Trophy. Known by the name of Cheeku, Virat Kohli made his first-class debut for Delhi against Tamil Nadu in 2006.
Virat Kohli’s name was first known when he decided to play for his team against Karnataka on the day he lost his father. It was said that he gave his best in his worst day when he scored 90 runs or Delhi in the same match. In the year 2006 Cheeku, was selected for India U19 squad for the tour of England. His class in batting first came into limelight, when he averaged 105 in the three-match ODI series against England Under-19s.
In February–March 2008, Kohli led the victorious Indian team at the 2008 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia. The story of being the best in the world started from here when placed himself as the third highest run getter in the tournament. Starting his career with a huge success as a nineteen year boy he made his debut when India toured Sri Lanka in the same year. Not playing many List A matches it was said to be a “Surprise call” for Virat as he was set to replace Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag.
Virat only got chances as substitutes, but he looked to capitalize whenever he got any chance in the playing eleven. During the tri-nation ODI tournament in Bangladesh in January 2010 Virat got to play as Sachin Tendulkar was rested. He became only the third Indian batsman to score two ODI centuries before the age of 22. Kohli’s leadership qualities was first introduced to the cricket lovers of India when he was announced as the Vice-Captain in the tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe. During the same series, Kohli registered himself as the fastest Indian batsman to reach 1,000 runs in ODI cricket. He was also India’s leading run-scorer in ODIs in 2010, with 995 runs from 25 matches at an average of 47.38 including three centuries and seven fifties. With a great form in the home series against New-zealand then in the South African tour he got his maiden world cup call in 2011, which India went on to clinch the worldcup. King Kohli played all the matches in the world cup campaign and became the first Indian batsman to score a century on World Cup debut.
Virat started to flourish more with his hardwork as was announce as the leading run-scorer in ODIs for the year 2011, with 1381 runs from 34 matches at 47.62 including four centuries and eight fifties. In 2011, India was whitewashed by Australia in their home ground but India’s top run getter Virat was described as “the lone bright spot in an otherwise nightmare visit for the tourists”. In the Commonwealth Bank triangular series India had a not so convincing performance and had to get a bonus point as a try get through the Knockouts. In the match against Sri Lanka, chasing the target of 322, India was down by two wickets in just 86 runs and Virat went on to score 133 not out which led to the win overs to spare. Former Australian cricketer and commentator Dean Jones named Kohli’s innings as “one of the greatest ODI knocks of all time”.
Virat was appointed as the vice-captain for the 2012 Asia Cup in Bangladesh. Continuing his fine form he scored 357 with the average of 119. In the same tournament he went to score his personal best 183 against the arch-rivals Pakistan. His knock of 183 runs was the highest individual score in Asia Cup history surpassing former record of 144 by Younis Khan.
Virat Kohli first stood-in as the captain for the first ODI of the triangular series in the West Indies after Dhoni injured himself during the same match. Later Dhoni was ruled out from the tournament and Kohli was named as the captain of the Team for the maiden time. Kohli captained India with a bonus point win against West Indies keeping his for intact with the bat.
In, 2013 with many players rested Virat was appointed as the captain for a full series for the first time against Zimbabwe. Under his leadership, India completed a 5–0 sweep against Zimbebwe in their home soil. In the next series against Australia Virat broke the record to score fastest hundred by an Indian in ODIs. It was the highest succesfull run chase at that time. The run-machine kept on playing his brilliant knock and he was declared as the top batsman in the ICC ODI batsmen rankings for the first time in his career. In the same year he equalled Viv Richards’ record of becoming the fastest batsman to make 5,000 runs in ODI cricket. In 2014, Kohli also placed himself in the no. 1 rank in the ICC T20 batsman ranking. in 2014, he became the second player in the world after Sourav Ganguly to score over 1,000 runs in ODIs for four consecutive calendar years.
Kohli was first awarded as the test captain in 2014 when Dhoni missed the series in Australia. Kohli went on to score 115 in India’s first innings, becoming the fourth Indian to score a hundred on Test captaincy debut. Virat Kohli is named among one of the best captains that the world cricket has seen with Winning percentage of 58.82% in tests, 70.43% in ODIs and 64.58% in the T20is. Virat Kohli is the leading run scorer in T20I with the most 50 plus runs. He is the lone cricketer to have been awarded player of the tournament twice in the T20 World Cup. Being one of the greatest player the world has seen his batting average of 49.53 in tests, 57.68 in the ODIs and 53.13 in the T20Is inspires many current generation batters of this century.
With numerous feathers under his cap, the Journey from Just Virat Kohli to King Kohli was not easy for him. It is said that ‘with hardwork and dedication comes great results’ and Virat Kohli stands as the true example of it. His name will always be remembered among the greatest player of the game. He stands as light of hope till date for 130 crore Indians. As King Kohli celebrates his 34th Birthday, the fans will look for a birthday special performance in the upcoming match against Zimbabwe in the ongoing T20 world cup in Australia.
