No cricket fanatic in the world can claim to be unaware of the current India captain's name. Born and brought up in the Indian capital city of New Delhi, Kohli emerged on the international radar after leading India to the title win at the ICC U19 World Cup in 2008. However, Kohli didn't exactly announce himself at the highest level till 2012 - four years after his debut - when in Australia he hit his maiden Test century (116) in Adelaide. By the end of that tour Kohli had also shown the world just how good a batsman he could become when his 86-ball-133 helped India chase down a mammoth 330 in less than 40 overs against Sri Lanka in the triangular series. Since then he hasn't looked back and has grown from strength to strength by proving his prowess all over the world. Having hit centuries on tough away tours Kohli improved his shorter format game several notches especially with the help of the IPL, where in 2016 he smacked a record 973 runs! A established chaser of totals, he has hundreds in all Test playing nations - except Bangladesh and Zimbabwe - where he has played just a single match. He is also a World Cup winner(2011) and was adjuged the Player of the Tournament at the 2014 ICC World T20. Being counted amongst the four great batsmen of the modern age along with Steven Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root, Kohli's meteoric rise over the past couple of years has seen him rise above everyone else in the art of batting. He is the only batsman yet to average more than 48 in all formats of the game and after his exploits in England in the summer of 2018, he has proved that he is the best batsman across the globe under any given conditions. For his exploits on the field he has also been awarded the country's highest sports honour - Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2018. But with the accolades there also have been questions regarding team selection and his aggressive mindset resulting in failures to win tough series overseas. The fact remains though that just like his runs, there are many more Indian victories to come under his leadership and only time will tell how great a legacy Captain Kohli will leave behind. But regarding his batting skills, it's safe to assume that the debate has been settled for now. There is only one Kohli and he sits right at the top.
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The Indian captain made it clear that neither his team's Adelaide victory nor the Perth defeat will have any bearing when the Melbourne Test starts.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja comes into the XI after missing the first two tests, batsman Rohit Sharma has also been recalled and Mayank Agarwal is set to make his debut.
The India captain recently notched up his 25th Test ton on a tricky pitch in Perth, which was lauded by many former cricketers, fans and experts.
Kohli also received the backing of Australia coach and Test skipper Tim Paine himself, who said he relished his war of words with the combative Indian.
In the Perth Test, argument got so animated between the two skippers that at one-point umpire had to come between them to sort things out.
After watching Aanand L Rai's Zero, Virat took to Twitter to give his review. He especially praised his wife Anushka Sharma.
Ravi Shastri dismissed any question regarding Virat Kohli's on-field behaviour during the Perth Test and said that he was fantastic.
Matthew Hayden said that Virat Kohli is just passionate about the game and hasn't crossed the line and his behaviour is more like Australians.
Hogg said India would need to find balance going into the third Test to put Australia under pressure.
Kirmani said Virat Kohli's aggressive on-field behaviour is his natural instinct.
Kohli has received severe criticism from the likes of Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Sanjay Manjrekar for his aggressive celebrations in the ongoing Test series.
Head scored a half-century in the second innings of the first Test at Adelaide to give India a scare even as the visitors eventually won by just 32 runs.
Reflecting on the tumultuous phase that gripped Indian cricket during last year's Champions Trophy, Laxman said the episode left a "bitter taste in the mouth".
India succumbed to a 146-run drubbing at the hands of hosts Australia in the second Test of the four-match series on Tuesday after registering a close 31-run victory in the first game at Adelaide.
Virat Kohli and Tim Paine clashed on several occasions during the second Test in Perth which India lost by 146 runs.
"Kohli focused too much attention on Paine and not enough on the job at hand -- winning the game," Chappell wrote.
Rishabh Pant and Ajinkya Rahane also gained places in the ICC Test rankings for batsmen.
Kohli has received severe criticism from the likes of Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Sanjay Manjrekar for his aggressive celebrations.
Sourav Ganguly also said that India cannot win Test matches if Virat Kohli is the only batsman scoring the runs outside the subcontinent.
Allan Border, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and even India's Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed their displeasure over Kohli's on-field antics in the ongoing series Down Under.
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