Making it into the national team was never a herculean task after making a name for himself at the junior and customary domestic level. The start wasn’t as swift as he would have wanted. He was erratic alright, but not lethargic.
The love affair with Australia:
He found it extremely hard to cement his place in the star studded Indian batting-lineup. He was in and out of team as most of the seniors remained in good nick right throughout 2008-2011. But he did well in the limited opportunities he had been presented with. Facing the bowling of Srilanka and Bangladesh was a mere cakewalk. And, when I look back at those innings now, it’s safe to say that he was having some net sessions before the all-important career launch in 2012.
The real ascendance of Kohli virtually started against his favorite opposition “Australia”. The tour down under (2011-2012) saw Kohli break the shackles of his own natural temperament and transcend towards excellence. It’s no surprise that he prefers competing against Australia; they play tough cricket and he thrives under fierceness.
Some Mathematics:
Since 2012, Virat Kohli’s career graph has traversed only one way and that’s upward.
Talking about graph, let us discuss some mathematics here: Generally, we try measuring the upwardness of the straight line using “Y=mx+c”. If Y - the height he has attained in the career, then m (slope- something which characterizes a line's direction) has got to be his insatiable appetite and hunger for success. That hunger and dedication is what defines Virat-the cricketer.
Fit as a fiddle:
Fitness is the key element for any sports professional and in the case of Virat Kohli it has not only helped him stay afloat but raise his game to a whole new level. Starting from running between the wickets and building an Innings to staying away from injuries, fitness has really helped him chase glory. Chase, chasing! It would be a crime if I talk about virat Kohli without mentioning this aspect of his game. His average in ODI and T20I is magical. But wait! He isn’t a magician but a mathematician. A genius mathematician when it comes to calculating and pacing a run chase. He isn’t a hit hard from the first ball type of player, but still keeps pace with the asking rate. He runs extremely hard in the beginning and then finds and clears the fence for fun. To garner so many runs in T20I by adhering to a conventional style of play speaks volumes of his cricketing ability. And, he’s numerouno in both ODI and T20I.
Final frontier, England:
If you treat this document as a mere adulation for his looks, numbers, and records then I have no other options left but to feel sorry for you.
I still remember him crying along the boundary ropes for the team’s exit from T20WC 2012. It was that particular moment which urged me to believe that he will scale unprecedented heights in the game. And, he hasn’t let me down.
He has scored heaps of runs across all countries and formats except for England (Test matches alone). But being the player and character he is, a couple of hundreds (may be more) is under the horizon when India tours England this year.
Happy birthday Virat, Love you loads….!!!!!!!!!
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