Virat Kohli, the most complete batsman in modern era

The beaming sunshine that lit up the Dharamsala afternoon after a typically cloudy morning on Sunday was sort of symbolic for Indiarsquos talisman Virat KohliIt was 1415 months ago that his career looked in doldrums Postlean patch and an explosive press conference about his abrupt removal from ODI captaincy had seen thousands call out his defensive tactics and inveigh against his lsquounjustrsquo selection in the playing XICricket loyalists had high expectations habituated to the freespirited aggressive brand of cricket which Kohli was best known for And so the debate raged why canrsquot we see beyond Kohli and give youngsters a chance And yet a feeling of uncanny optimism pervaded the Indian camp each time he walked out to batMonths later the 34yearold who has lived most of his life in the public eye slowly but surely picked up the pieces of what seemed to be a dismantled career back then His coruscating 61ball 122 against the Afghans in the Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2022 was a reminder that his once flamboyant authoritative version was backLooking relieved and feeling like he had a massive load off his shoulders Kohli hoped this knock would spark a new beginning And it did in every manner He had come into the game having not scored a century in international cricket for 1020 days He was given a lifeline by the board despite poor form had captain Rohit Sharmarsquos backing all along the way so expectations were naturally high and he delivered with a brisk centuryAlso Read Team India chase away nemesis New ZealandIn my case denial frustration was creeping in I was very cranky very snappy in my space It was not fair on Anushka my close ones its not fair on the people who support you So I had to take responsibility and kind of put things in perspective I was far off from my cricket My attachments my desire had taken over Thats when I realised that I cant be away from who I am I have to be true to myself Even when I am vulnerable I am not playing well I am the worst player around and I have to accept it I cant be in denial Kohli told teammate Suryakumar Yadav in an interview for BCCI TVldquoI am not finding any selfworth or value in what I do on the field Im way past that phase This is a phase of evolution for me Not to say I dont have the same drive my drive will never let me down The day my drive goes away Ill not be playing this gamerdquo Those close to him knew that Kohlis battle with himself had been more mental than physical or technical There is absolutely no magic formula to rediscovering form or the winning habit but whatrsquos guaranteed is that better times will return when confidence is on an upward curveHe later wrapped things up as the secondhighest rungetter in the Asia Cup 2022 with 276 runs from six matches at a telling strike rate of 14759 including 122 against Afghanistan and a brace of fifties against Hong Kong and Pakistan respectively Staying true to the prophecy as the next Sachin Tendulkarlike lsquogodly figurersquo in cricket the talented Delhiite continues to rule the batting charts with staggering numbers to his nameKohlirsquos resurgence continued over the months with his prolific run of centuries against diverse bowling attacks underscoring his unrivalled consistency with the willowOn Sunday Kohli noticeably battleworn smacked a brutal 95 to lead India to a fourwicket victory over New Zealand and a fifth win in five matches at the ongoing World Cup although he just missed equaling Tendulkars record of 49 oneday international centuriesIndia defeated by New Zealand in the semifinal of the 2019 edition put an end to a 20year wait for a win against the Kiwis in an ICC event after they last beat them in the 2003 World Cup An inform Kohli who shone with an unbeaten 103 in the previous triumph over Bangladesh put on key partnerships including a 78run stand with Ravindra Jadeja who hit the winning four in his unbeaten 39 He Kohli has done this for us for so many years He backed himself to do the job Rohit said of the star batsman after the winIn about 31 World Cup innings Kohli has amassed 1384 runs at an average of 5536 He has smacked three centuries and nine fifties in 31 matches with the best score of 107 He is the fourthhighest runscorer in tournament history and Indias secondhighestIn the ICC Champions Trophy Kohli has 529 runs under his belt from 13 matches at an average of 8816 with five fifties in 12 innings He is the 11th highestscorer in tournament history and Indias fourth In 27 T20 World Cup matches he has amassed 1141 runs at an average of 8150 with 14 fifties in 25 innings and a best score of an unbeaten 89 He is the highest runscorer in the tournaments history Overall in 71 ICC whiteball event games Kohli has scored 3054 runs at a striking average of 6786 including three centuries and 28 fiftiesOvercoming obstacles and hardship is always best addressed through mental resilience and hard work as there are fewer shortcuts in reality None knows this better than Kohli himself Itrsquos his determination to succeed that has been at the core of his remarkable success time and againKohli has successfully met every challenge in the last few years or so including moving up and down the batting order assuming the responsibility of always being Indiarsquos prized wicket becoming an accomplished batsman across all three formats and relishing his sudden burden as an onfield adviser to skipper Rohit Like a wise old man once said ldquoIt comes and it goes and hides in strange places but class will always rise to the surfacerdquo