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.
Read More
Kohli and Williamson had met for the first time during the 2008 ICC U-19 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where India had defeated New Zealand by three wickets in the semi-final.
Former West Indies pace bowler and commentator Michael Holding feels he has seen a huge transformation in the Indian team's fitness levels in comparison to 70s and 80s.
For the moment, Vengsarkar doesn't see any merit in the split captaincy debate
Stretching India's eight-year wait for ICC silverware, Kohli's men suffered an eight-wicket loss against the Kiwis on the final day of the marquee clash.
Anushka Sharma on Friday gave a glimpse of her new haircut. The actress, who got a cool hairdo, took to social media to flaunt her chopped hair.
Under Kohli, India has finished as the No.1-ranked Test side for five consecutive years. He recently also surpassed MS Dhoni's record for most Test matches as the captain of the Indian team.
Since his November 2019 Test ton against Bangladesh, Kohli has managed just three half-centuries in eight Test matches. The 24.64 Test average in this phase in 14 innings is well below his career average of 52.04.
India captain Virat Kohli had expressed his displeasure at not being given any first-class games before the England series, starting in Nottingham on August 4.
India faced an eight-wicket defeat in the final of the World Test Championship against New Zealand.
Kohli feels the best Test team in the world should not be decided by a one-off game like it was in the inaugural edition. The Indian unit had lost their opening Tests against Australia and England before staging a stellar comeback.
Not once, but twice were they in a position to put pressure on New Zealand after the bowlers impressively pulled back things in their favour. But as Kohli admitted, it was the batting frailties that cost them the title
The Indian team on Thursday will disperse for a three-week break from the bio-bubble and reassemble in Nottingham on July 14 for the preparations of the Test series starting August 4.
Ahead of the final, Kohli had downplayed the significance of a one-off contest saying that one Test cannot decide which is the "best" side in the format. Even head coach Ravi Shastri had called for a three-Test series ahead of the final.
After his side lost the WTC Final, the Indian captain didn't name anyone but expressed his displeasure at some of the players not showing enough intent to score runs which put pressure on the batting outfit.
India fielded both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja along with pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
Kohli also praised Kyle Jamieson for winning the Man of the Match trophy in the marquee clash.
Ahead of the WTC final, Jamieson had even refused to bowl to Kohli, who is his teammate in Royal Challengers Bangalore, with the Dukes ball during the nets in the Indian Premier League.
BJ Watling will retire from international cricket after the WTC Final, and Virat Kohli had a heartwarming gesture for the New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman.
Earlier, New Zealand managed to eke out a 32-run lead in the first innings after pacer Mohammed Shami's four-wicket haul (4/76) curbed them to 249 in the rain-marred clash.
ICC decided to pay tribute to Kohli in a video collage where the indian captain could be seen going through many emotions during the WTC Final.
Top News
Trending News
Latest News
