‘In 2010-11, Virat Kohli was a brat like me’: Shoaib Akhtar

[MenInG]

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has once again spoken highly of Virat Kohli, saying the India captain’s growth as a batsman over the years has been terrific. Akhtar recalled the first few years of Kohli in international cricket, calling him a ‘brat’, but admitted the tremendous transformation shown by him, coupled by backing of the team management, deserves praise.

“Virat Kohli has reached a whole new level, but who is behind the Kohli brand? In 2010, 2011, Kohli was nowhere to be seen. He was part of the circle; he was a brat like me. All of a sudden, the system supported him. The management went around him. He also realised that there’s a lot of reputation at stake,” Akhtar said on a YouTube show.

Akhtar weighed in on Kohli’s comparison with Sachin Tendulkar, believing the Indian captain has played his cricket in a much easy era, although the former quick mentioned that it takes nothing away from what he’s achieved in his career. Kohli is India’s highest ODI run-getter and century-maker after Tendulkar, and is the leading T20I run-getter in the world with 2794 runs.

“It’s not his fault that he’s playing in an era of easy cricket, or if Sachin played in a tougher era or Wasim, Waqar and Inzamam have player a much more competitive brand of cricket. So if he’s scoring runs, what we can say about it?” Akhtar said.

Recently, Akhtar has been at the receiving end of criticism of his repeated praise for India, and continuous bashing of Pakistan cricket. On the topic Akhtar explained that even though there are times he criticizes the Indian cricket team too, the fact that they have two of the best batsmen in the world in Kohli and Rohit Sharma, doesn’t leave him with enough ammunition to fire at them.

“I criticize India as well. But if Virat Kohli has 12,000 runs, what else you can say, Rohit Sharma has two double centuries in One Day cricket, what can you say. The enemy’s qualities should be known among us. Kohli has become the greatest batsman, what can you say, should I say he is a bad person or he is not a good player,” Akhtar said.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...in-s-growth/story-lXWONrsYxgPiHZJPxqOPbJ.html

 

[andy0204]

Why does Akhtar compares to himself?

 

[MenInG]

Why does Akhtar compares to himself?

Because he is a legendary cricketer.

 

[Mamoon]

No, he was nothing like you.

You were not half as good in your department as Kohli is. His discipline and dedication are at a completely different level.

Shoaib talking nonsense as usual.

 

[JattMaula]

No, he was nothing like you.

You were not half as good in your department as Kohli is. His discipline and dedication are at a completely different level.

Shoaib talking nonsense as usual.

Nonsense.

Akhtar was the best at what he did. That is fast bowling. Our kaptaan is a decentish bat nothing more.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

No, he was nothing like you.

You were not half as good in your department as Kohli is. His discipline and dedication are at a completely different level.

Shoaib talking nonsense as usual.

Kohli is definitely amazing at batting and better at his thing than Shoaib. But let's not disrespect Shoaib's acheivments, he himself was an excellent bowler and is definitely a legend. It's not like he was a nobody. I'd say Shoaib was 80 percent as good as Kohli in his department.

 

[King Kong]

Shoaib is a genuine person. You may not agree with him on everything, but whatever he says comes from within his heart whereas everything, EVERYTHING about Kohli is fake. Shoaib>>>>Kohli.

 

[Mamoon]

Nonsense.

Akhtar was the best at what he did. That is fast bowling. Our kaptaan is a decentish bat nothing more.

Kohli is definitely amazing at batting and better at his thing than Shoaib. But let's not disrespect Shoaib's acheivments, he himself was an excellent bowler and is definitely a legend. It's not like he was a nobody. I'd say Shoaib was 80 percent as good as Kohli in his department.

Akhtar could have been a legend, but he ended up with 170 odd wickets. He is a complete nobody.

He is only remembered for being super fast. Other than that, he has achieved nothing.

 

[Varun]

No he wasn't.

Kohli of 2011 was laying the foundations of what is now a wholesome Test and ODI career.

If Akhtar did half of that in his time, he'd realize that he needn't set up a YouTube channel in 2020 to earn his dime and stay relevant.

 

[Mamoon]

Akhtar’s batting equivalent would be a batsman who retired with about 3,000 Test runs.

In other words, a nobody.

 

[Mamoon]

No he wasn't.

Kohli of 2011 was laying the foundations of what is now a wholesome Test and ODI career.

If Akhtar did half of that in his time, he'd realize that he needn't set up a YouTube channel in 2020 to earn his dime and stay relevant.

Akhtar suffers from delusions of grandeur, fueled by his deep-rooted insecurities. He is fully aware of the fact that he could have achieved 10x more but failed to do so. Hence he needs to find ways to compensate his shortcomings.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Akhtar keeps going without any care in the world or whatever would anyone think of him or his statements that he keeps churning out on a daily basis.

A careless wreck in other words.

 

[Ted123]

Akhtar’s batting equivalent would be a batsman who retired with about 3,000 Test runs.

In other words, a nobody.

Haha, 178 test wickets and 250 ODI wickets, he is a great, bowled 150 KMPH at its peak, your Kaptaan can't even bowl 120 KPH lol.

 

[Mamoon]

Haha, 178 test wickets and 250 ODI wickets, he is a great, bowled 150 KMPH at its peak, your Kaptaan can't even bowl 120 KPH lol.

With this mentality, it is no surprise that Pakistan is a mediocre team.

 

[Ted123]

With this mentality, it is no surprise that Pakistan is a mediocre team.

250 ODI wickets and 178 test wickets are no less, in subcontinent more ODIs are played than tests, Shoaib had a long career.

 

[sweep_shot]

Virat and Shoaib have something in common. They both are very animated. So, Shoaib is right in a way.

 

[Mamoon]

250 ODI wickets and 178 test wickets are no less, in subcontinent more ODIs are played than tests, Shoaib had a long career.

Shoaib played in about half of Pakistan’s Tests during his time. He had a long career only in terms of duration.

He spent half of his career crying on the sidelines.

 

[Indiafan]

Nonsense.

Akhtar was the best at what he did. That is fast bowling. Our kaptaan is a decentish bat nothing more.

Kohli did his best to get the best fitness, ethics and practice so that he can have a long meaningful career. Thats what mamoon is speaking about. If akhtsr hadn't wasted his career in parties and other things he would have been a legend with a long career

 

[Hasan123]

Kohli was never a brat lol. It just took him a while to understand the importance of fitness. After that he changed his mentality and developed further.

 

[Varun]

Very soon Shoaib will have more YouTube videos than wickets.

Which says it all really.

 

[Snowflake]

Shoaiby really glorifies himself, doesn't he? ) quite the narcissist!

Also, I'm getting tired of his "brand" talk. No one was behind Kohli that made him who he is today. It was his own dedication and passion to be the best. It's a rare quality and not everyone has it.

No need to complicate things. Shoaib thinks that he's way smarter than he actually is.

 

[Bhaijaan]

The headlines can often be misleading. He makes a good point which he always has, that in a nourishing system, guys like Akhtar, Kohli are taken care of much better.

It's the same like playing for Bayern, Barca or any top football club.

You can have good players anywhere but a good system helps good players turn into greats.

Someone like K L Rahul knows exactly what sort of discipline and hard work he has to put in and he knows if he does it, the money and fame that will follow will be insane. This faith in the system is what Shoaib often talks about.

 

[Saj]

Opposites when it comes to professionalism and dedication and consistency.

Never would I compare Kohli and Akhtar.

 

[Abdullah719]

Very soon Shoaib will have more YouTube videos than wickets.

Which says it all really.

He has 220 videos on YouTube, I believe. So his Test wicket tally has been left behind

 

[Saj]

Very soon Shoaib will have more YouTube videos than wickets.

Which says it all really.

Sadly, making a fool of himself most of the time.

It's becoming desperation from him for attention.

He has to have an opinion about everything, most of the time he has no clue about the topic that he is supposed to be offering an expert on.

 

[Mamoon]

Shoaib Akhtar debut: 29 Nov 1997
Shoaib Akhtar last match: 8 March 2011

During his career, Pakistan played 115 Test matches, Shoaib played in only 46 of them.

He only played in 40% of Pakistan’s Tests during his career.

He played in 39 Test matches against Australia, India, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies.

Pakistan won 15 and lost 16.

Shoaib “brand and match winner” Akhtar is not fit to tie Kohli’s shoelaces.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Difficult to argue that he isn’t obsessed with India. He has a poster of KKR in his home. And he played IPL for only one season. He has a photo with Mahesh Bhatt on his Instagram. He also talks about Salman, SRK, Dhoni, Ganguly, Kohli, etc. in almost every interview.

I sometimes feel he wishes he were an Indian. I wouldn’t complain if he were. Top bowler, unlike what some other posters believe.

 

[Rajdeep]

Shoaib is a genuine person. You may not agree with him on everything, but whatever he says comes from within his heart whereas everything, EVERYTHING about Kohli is fake. Shoaib>>>>Kohli.

He is not fake but image concious. Kohli has fans not only from India but all over the world, including from neighbouring countries. His 1 instagram post makes him more than a crore rupees. So he has to play politically correct and keep his fan base intact. You cant expect Kohli to become outspoken like say Kangana Ranaut.

But Kohli of past (2011-2015) was not image concious and the emotions/anger you seen on field were genuine. That 2013 Kohli when he had a spat with Gambhir is the actual Kohli. People say he has became matured and a changed man. But actually he is still the angry emotional guy from inside but dont let it out these days keeping his brand value in mind. You still get a glimpse of his brat behaviour in IPL sometimes where he has less to loose.

 

[Saj]

Difficult to argue that he isn’t obsessed with India. He has a poster of KKR in his home. And he played IPL for only one season. He has a photo with Mahesh Bhatt on his Instagram. He also talks about Salman, SRK, Dhoni, Ganguly, Kohli, etc. in almost every interview.

I sometimes feel he wishes he were an Indian. I wouldn’t complain if he were. Top bowler, unlike what some other posters believe.

Well that's where the money is and why he wants to keep them sweet even if it means 'selling' his own country.

 

[kingusama92]

At no point was Kohli a brat.

That would suggest in-fighting, reckless off-field behavior and acting like he's a big shot when that was hardly the case. His main issue was he spent most of his time on his technique and let talent carry him through cause it worked in domestic cricket.

This was okay for a bit, but wasn't going to get him to the legendary status he desired.

So, he took a step back to refocus his training/diet (while gaining experience) and that pushed him to another level.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

its a myth that Kohli was brat.. He was ultra aggressive and in your face type of personality.. and each century celebration was full of choice of abuses which a Punjabi like me could easily understand

But his dedication and skill level were never in questioned. He just enhanced it and took it to next level with his fitness.
Shoaib, as usual, praised himself with his statements more than praising Virat. What a tool Shoaib is..

 

[Indiafan]

Shoaib is a genuine person. You may not agree with him on everything, but whatever he says comes from within his heart whereas everything, EVERYTHING about Kohli is fake. Shoaib>>>>Kohli.

Do you understsnd what professionalism is? I cannot behave the same way in my office as I do at home. I can't be genuine and do whatever I want or say whatever I want

Kohli understands what professionalism is and that he is now a role model

I think its easy to see why for decades now there has been no pak fast bowlers who has got even 200 wickets for decades and no spinner has ever got 300 wickets. And after yk, no batsmen have shown longetivity

So much indiscipline. People need to understand how adults work and you cannot be crass, no filter teenagers throughout your life. You need to grow up and mature at some point. Cricketers from every country mature with age and become more focused on cricket. Even those like ponting, etc did. Pak fans celebrate immature kids like behavior as something to be praised, when its rhe opposite of how adults should behave

 

[OldWarHorse]

There were stories coming out from Gavaskar how Kohli was a party animal during the initial IPL days and enjoyed the limelight and attention there, obviously he has changed a lot since then so people forget. Dont think Shoaib is too far off the point there.

But obviously Kohli buckled up and took his professionalism to a whole different level and has achieved what he has down to sheer hardwork and dedication to be the best.

 

[kingusama92]

There were stories coming out from Gavaskar how Kohli was a party animal during the initial IPL days and enjoyed the limelight and attention there, obviously he has changed a lot since then so people forget. Dont think Shoaib is too far off the point there.

But obviously Kohli buckled up and took his professionalism to a whole different level and has achieved what he has down to sheer hardwork and dedication to be the best.

Perhaps.

But the same Kohli didn't go to his dad's funeral cause he was in the middle of a domestic game. His commitment has never been in doubt.

His off-field stuff (good or bad) has never impacted his game.

This was one of Akhtar's biggest issues cause he would drag everything into the change room, fight with teammates/coaches, give dumb interviews, and just be a ridiculous prima donna. He was my favorite player at the time, but no doubt he was a brat and loose cannon.

Kohli can't be compared to that at all.

 

[Gullycricket]

Shoaib was genuine person always inspite of coming off as stupid sometimes. Kohli on the other hand is all PR and a total choker. He thrives on humiliating fellow cricketers when they are down and is rightfully called big head by T paine. Kohli is so fake at trying to be a wannabe Aussie while as Shoiab was genuine in aggression. People as usual falling for this shameless gutter level Kohli's PR.

 

[Indiafan]

Shoaib was genuine person always inspite of coming off as stupid sometimes. Kohli on the other hand is all PR and a total choker. He thrives on humiliating fellow cricketers when they are down and is rightfully called big head by T paine. Kohli is so fake at trying to be a wannabe Aussie while as Shoiab was genuine in aggression. People as usual falling for this shameless gutter level Kohli's PR.

Which player did kohli humilate? I have only seen him encouraging young players and others. I have seen akhtar actually call out and Humilate cricketers in his videos and make up stories. Weird you are accusing others of falling for PR

 

[Mesozoic]

Shoaib was genuine person always inspite of coming off as stupid sometimes. Kohli on the other hand is all PR and a total choker. He thrives on humiliating fellow cricketers when they are down and is rightfully called big head by T paine. Kohli is so fake at trying to be a wannabe Aussie while as Shoiab was genuine in aggression. People as usual falling for this shameless gutter level Kohli's PR.

I'm sure you're getting them mixed up.

 

[Mesozoic]

Kohli never backs down from a challenge unlike the trulu aggressive Akhtar who refused to bowl against Sachin in that famous game at centurion after getting hit.

Now you decide whose aggression is fake and whoses's not....

 

[Markhor]

Kohli has worked like a dog to build his "brand" Shoaib talks about. Instead of coasting on natural talent, he became the fittest, and saw himself as a professional athlete instead of basking in celebrity like Shoaib did.

Meanwhile Shoaib would turn up to training whenever he wanted (according to his own coaches), partied (picking up an STD along the way), took drugs, ball tampered, hit his teammates, fell out with captains and coaches, and the board who kept giving him chances despite constantly letting the side down. He put far too much emphasis on building useless upper body strength.

He is the biggest example of wasted talent. His supporters will bang on about how he was born flat footed, his knees needed to be drained before matches and yes those physical limitations were real. He could've been managed better. But nobody forced him to play cricket.

I did have a soft spot for Shoaib like many. I loved the run up and theatrics. But I can't argue he was a great given how few times he ever on the field to begin with. Now his legacy is increasingly defined by YouTube jibber jabber and pandering as opposed to what he did as a cricketer.

 

[shaz619]

Kohli has worked like a dog to build his "brand" Shoaib talks about. Instead of coasting on natural talent, he became the fittest, and saw himself as a professional athlete instead of basking in celebrity like Shoaib did.

Meanwhile Shoaib would turn up to training whenever he wanted (according to his own coaches), partied (picking up an STD along the way), took drugs, ball tampered, hit his teammates, fell out with captains and coaches, and the board who kept giving him chances despite constantly letting the side down. He put far too much emphasis on building useless upper body strength.

He is the biggest example of wasted talent. His supporters will bang on about how he was born flat footed, his knees needed to be drained before matches and yes those physical limitations were real. He could've been managed better. But nobody forced him to play cricket.

I did have a soft spot for Shoaib like many. I loved the run up and theatrics. But I can't argue he was a great given how few times he ever on the field to begin with. Now his legacy is increasingly defined by YouTube jibber jabber and pandering as opposed to what he did as a cricketer.

For the most part none of us are forced into anything we decide and ultimately you can argue that whatever is our fate we are entirely responsible for everything that happens from that point on wards, however there are mitigating circumstances to, with folk in that part of the world though especially when you from a poor background it's either cricket or you're screwed. Physical or mental issues aside generally speaking, I don't think Akhtar benefited from being bought up in the best environment; you'd know that to just going by your posts on the debacle which lead up to the 2003 World Cup it's not the nicest culture to infuse a youngster with and we still see the effects to this day with Pak cricketers, not saying he had the best relationship with Woolmer but that spell in parts showed me that with the right manager and somewhat decent environment he was best utilised, we saw this especially in the series against a strong Lankan and Ashes winning England team, did ok in AUS to going by the standards in general this century touring down under

 

[RyanRyan10]

Shoaib was genuine person always inspite of coming off as stupid sometimes. Kohli on the other hand is all PR and a total choker. He thrives on humiliating fellow cricketers when they are down and is rightfully called big head by T paine. Kohli is so fake at trying to be a wannabe Aussie while as Shoiab was genuine in aggression. People as usual falling for this shameless gutter level Kohli's PR.

Shoaib keeps making excuses for his failures. He humiliates his own seniors. He makes up stories of how his seniors conspired against him. he has even made claims of his teammates fixing matches.

It's funny that Pakistan fans defend this clown when the only thing he does is to embarrass other Pakistan players.

 

[shariqnoor]

Kohli was never a brat. He was just ill-disciplined with regards to his diet, fitness, shot selection till 2013. It's only when he himself realized that he can't continue his career like that is when he changed his career 180 degrees.

I'm not comparing Ahmed Shehzad to Kohli but till 2013, Shehzad was actually a very good bat but he didn't work hard at all, took things for granted and his career subsequently ended. Shehzad could've easily been a 5-6k run Test and ODI batsman. Kohli should be an example for every Pakistan batsman on how to take your career to the next level when you introduce discipline in your DNA.

 

[MMHS]

Akhtar was brilliant in what he did, was definitely better than Kohli is respective core jobs in that comparison- but it ends there.

Akhtar is a living legend of everything wrong in a pro sportsman you may say; but Kohli is someone should be role model for every young cricketer. The way he developed his game was amazing. He has an attitude problem but that is what has brought him here. I think, it was at the same time 2011-12, I wrote that if anyone breaks Tendulkar’s volume, it’ll be Kohli; because he had that discipline and hunger in him which was evident even then.

I can recall a situation where probably Akash Chopra or Manjrekar was talking to someone (Gambhir?) on batting - by that time Kohli was already a star in making... still I saw Kohli listening keenly the conversation going around without interrupting any one. I doubt in his playing time Shoaib had ever given two cents to what even his coaches are speaking.

 

[Hitman]

The late Tony Greig said it best once, "Shoaib has been nothing but an embarrassment to the game".

 

[Pakhs]

People here are laughably comparing number of games etc between kholi and Akhtar. Please go and educate yourselves. Let me give you guys some education nobody and I repeat nobody will play much more than Akhtar and bowl at the speed he used to bowl. He was not someone who cranked it up every now and then he was supper fast 100% of the time. If you are blessed with the best genes in the world you may play 10 extra test matches than Akhtar.

Akhtar was one of a kind. Regarding Kholi and number of games he has not matched Afridi yet in terms of number of games. What Kohli does its easy to play a lot of games just like Afridi and many others did.

Do not disrespect Akhtar and compare him with kohli in terms of fitness and dedication etc. Kohli is an ATG batsman with a wonderful ability to score runs consistently but he is not super human who defied physics and human limits like Akhtar did.

 

[leg-side-flick]

Difficult to argue that he isn’t obsessed with India. He has a poster of KKR in his home. And he played IPL for only one season. He has a photo with Mahesh Bhatt on his Instagram. He also talks about Salman, SRK, Dhoni, Ganguly, Kohli, etc. in almost every interview.

I sometimes feel he wishes he were an Indian. I wouldn’t complain if he were. Top bowler, unlike what some other posters believe.

Imagine what a brand he would be, if he were Indian....

For all his off field activities, I always enjoyed watching him bowl....

 

[Varun]

People here are laughably comparing number of games etc between kholi and Akhtar. Please go and educate yourselves. Let me give you guys some education nobody and I repeat nobody will play much more than Akhtar and bowl at the speed he used to bowl. He was not someone who cranked it up every now and then he was supper fast 100% of the time. If you are blessed with the best genes in the world you may play 10 extra test matches than Akhtar.

 

[topspin]

Akhtar was brilliant in what he did, was definitely better than Kohli is respective core jobs in that comparison- but it ends there.

Akhtar is a living legend of everything wrong in a pro sportsman you may say; but Kohli is someone should be role model for every young cricketer. The way he developed his game was amazing. He has an attitude problem but that is what has brought him here. I think, it was at the same time 2011-12, I wrote that if anyone breaks Tendulkar’s volume, it’ll be Kohli; because he had that discipline and hunger in him which was evident even then.

I can recall a situation where probably Akash Chopra or Manjrekar was talking to someone (Gambhir?) on batting - by that time Kohli was already a star in making... still I saw Kohli listening keenly the conversation going around without interrupting any one. I doubt in his playing time Shoaib had ever given two cents to what even his coaches are speaking.

Totally agree with this post, especially the last sentence because we all know what he did to Woolmer was a reflection of his attitude and behaviour towards his coaches.

 

[Pakhs]

How many more did he play? And how fast was he bowling once Mcgrath and warne retired?

 

[Varun]

How many more did he play? And how fast was he bowling once Mcgrath and warne retired?

Tests: 30 more than Shoaib Akhtar
ODIs: 58 more than Shoaib Akhtar

The speed of his bowling had nothing to do with McGrath and Warne. He was rapid and accurate throughout his career including as late as the 2011 World Cup where Shoaib was bowling smackable full tosses to Ross Taylor.

 

[Indiafan]

People here are laughably comparing number of games etc between kholi and Akhtar. Please go and educate yourselves. Let me give you guys some education nobody and I repeat nobody will play much more than Akhtar and bowl at the speed he used to bowl. He was not someone who cranked it up every now and then he was supper fast 100% of the time. If you are blessed with the best genes in the world you may play 10 extra test matches than Akhtar.

Akhtar was one of a kind. Regarding Kholi and number of games he has not matched Afridi yet in terms of number of games. What Kohli does its easy to play a lot of games just like Afridi and many others did.

Do not disrespect Akhtar and compare him with kohli in terms of fitness and dedication etc. Kohli is an ATG batsman with a wonderful ability to score runs consistently but he is not super human who defied physics and human limits like Akhtar did.

Are you seriously claiming with some more self discipline, not abusing drugs, focusing on fitness, akhtar would not have had a longer career? There are superhuman athelte in every single sports and the true legends have really really long career. Look at the legends in any sport and how much they focus on fitness and career and diet. There is no substitute for fitness, discipline and focus

Players like akhtar can be a flash in the pan with 1 or 2 records which will stay till the next person breaks it. But legends have always been the ones who had long careers

Pakiatan really had to change this mentality around hard work if they have to achieve anything in sports. People should applaud results and not potential. I have constantly seen people talk only about potential. Talent this and ability that. Talent and ability are just the ingredients. You still have to put in lots of hard work to succeed.

People are so happy with Akhtar bowling the fastest ball, Amir bowling well in CT final, Umar scoring in New zeland and they are branded legends for life, based on these flashes in the pan. Absolute no value for consistency or discipline.

If thry were superhuman and above everyone else, it is even more sad they wasted that pktential. If God gave them superhuman ability, it is upto the person to do their best to utilize it to the maximum. Otherwise you are just wasting the blessing God gave you. Talent is given by God, there is no point bragging about what you were born with. Hard work, dsicipline, focus is what a person does to justify and utilize that talent

Stop rewarding talent and potential. They should be just the initial stepping stone. Reward consistent performance. Reward actual achievements. Only then you will have a culture of sustained excellence. Stop saying things like unpredictability or indiscipline are good things. Even a cornered tiger learns from that experience and knows never to get cornered again. If you are constantly getting cornered and need superhuman performances to escape, you are not learning and evolving and will not achieve much in life, no matter how much talent you have

And players like Amir, Asif, akmal, Akhtar are examples of wasted talent

 

[Indiafan]

Imagine what a brand he would be, if he were Indian....

For all his off field activities, I always enjoyed watching him bowl....

indian public generally don't like the bad boy image. You can see which players are very popular, even ones like kohli don't have any bad image outside the field. Indians really loath off field controversies. Even dhoni only had csk allegations very late in his career, after he had an inage of honest, calm, person. if he had before in his career, his fan following might have been affected

If someone is rude, abrasive, drinking, fighting, attacking other players with bat, attacking others in media, Indians usually turn away from them

 

[Pakhs]

Are you seriously claiming with some more self discipline, not abusing drugs, focusing on fitness, akhtar would not have had a longer career? There are superhuman athelte in every single sports and the true legends have really really long career. Look at the legends in any sport and how much they focus on fitness and career and diet. There is no substitute for fitness, discipline and focus

Players like akhtar can be a flash in the pan with 1 or 2 records which will stay till the next person breaks it. But legends have always been the ones who had long careers

Pakiatan really had to change this mentality around hard work if they have to achieve anything in sports. People should applaud results and not potential. I have constantly seen people talk only about potential. Talent this and ability that. Talent and ability are just the ingredients. You still have to put in lots of hard work to succeed.

People are so happy with Akhtar bowling the fastest ball, Amir bowling well in CT final, Umar scoring in New zeland and they are branded legends for life, based on these flashes in the pan. Absolute no value for consistency or discipline.

If thry were superhuman and above everyone else, it is even more sad they wasted that pktential. If God gave them superhuman ability, it is upto the person to do their best to utilize it to the maximum. Otherwise you are just wasting the blessing God gave you. Talent is given by God, there is no point bragging about what you were born with. Hard work, dsicipline, focus is what a person does to justify and utilize that talent

Stop rewarding talent and potential. They should be just the initial stepping stone. Reward consistent performance. Reward actual achievements. Only then you will have a culture of sustained excellence. Stop saying things like unpredictability or indiscipline are good things. Even a cornered tiger learns from that experience and knows never to get cornered again. If you are constantly getting cornered and need superhuman performances to escape, you are not learning and evolving and will not achieve much in life, no matter how much talent you have

And players like Amir, Asif, akmal, Akhtar are examples of wasted talent

Akhtar was not wasted talent he entertained with all he had. There is no comparison is bowling that fast to any other sport and definitely not within cricket. in over 100 years of cricket there would be hand full of bowler who could bowl this fast. Some countries have never managed it even yet but have managed plenty of batsmen with similar level to Kohli. My post is not meant to bring kohli down he s super good at what he does but he is not bowling at 100mph.

 

[Pakhs]

Tests: 30 more than Shoaib Akhtar
ODIs: 58 more than Shoaib Akhtar

The speed of his bowling had nothing to do with McGrath and Warne. He was rapid and accurate throughout his career including as late as the 2011 World Cup where Shoaib was bowling smackable full tosses to Ross Taylor.

He was younger than shoaib. And he was bowling more like 140kph on average after warne and Mcgrath retired. My respect for shoaib is more because he never gave up bowling fast. I remember Lee bowling 140kph in Perth test match and was wondering why you would do that to just prolong the career.

 

[Sidilicious]

He was younger than shoaib. And he was bowling more like 140kph on average after warne and Mcgrath retired. My respect for shoaib is more because he never gave up bowling fast. I remember Lee bowling 140kph in Perth test match and was wondering why you would do that to just prolong the career.

Because test matches are not decided on the speed of the bowling you have. Test matches are decided by how many wickets one can take. And more wickets are taken by well directed 140kph balls than 150kph full tosses.

 

[Pakhs]

Because test matches are not decided on the speed of the bowling you have. Test matches are decided by how many wickets one can take. And more wickets are taken by well directed 140kph balls than 150kph full tosses.

Okay well your argument doesnt make sense. As we are talking about only extreme fast bowlers here. I agree someone like Mcgrath was the best bowler I watched in the last 30 years because he was most effective. Bowled just quick enough to be the classed as a medium pace fast bowler and played maximum matches without getting injured.

Shoaib was box office one of his kind. More often than not he was putting on his own show when he was bowling specially at his peak.

 

[Varun]

Shoaib was box office one of his kind. More often than not he was putting on his own show when he was bowling specially at his peak.

Trouble is he was box office more off the field than on it.

Can't say that about Brett Lee or Kohli or anybody else.

 

[Pakhs]

Trouble is he was box office more off the field than on it.

Can't say that about Brett Lee or Kohli or anybody else.

When you bowl this fast you have to accept you going to have a shortened career. I actually dont get where Kohli comes into it? He has not even played as many games as someone like Afridi who used to bowl and Bat and never got injured. Kohli's only job is to bat and in some games when he gets out early albeit very rare for him he is not doing much.

Extreme fast bowler (or fastest bowler ever on record) and a batsman is not comparable in terms of fitness. Kohli probably was not even born with the body that can bowl anywhere near that fast or Afridi or many others.

 

[Sidilicious]

Okay well your argument doesnt make sense. As we are talking about only extreme fast bowlers here. I agree someone like Mcgrath was the best bowler I watched in the last 30 years because he was most effective. Bowled just quick enough to be the classed as a medium pace fast bowler and played maximum matches without getting injured.

Shoaib was box office one of his kind. More often than not he was putting on his own show when he was bowling specially at his peak.

But you dont become a legend of the game by putting on a show. You become a legend by taking wickets and winning matches for his team. He is definitely a great bowler but not in the legend category, simply because he did not adapt. He did not adapt. So could not play more matches. And so he could not take more wickets and win more matches for his team.

No one has become a legend by putting on a show. They have become legends by performing.

 

[Indiafan]

Akhtar was not wasted talent he entertained with all he had. There is no comparison is bowling that fast to any other sport and definitely not within cricket. in over 100 years of cricket there would be hand full of bowler who could bowl this fast. Some countries have never managed it even yet but have managed plenty of batsmen with similar level to Kohli. My post is not meant to bring kohli down he s super good at what he does but he is not bowling at 100mph.

The point of cricket is to win matches and trophies and become no 1. Not to bowl the fastest. If trophies were given for fastest bowlers every country would focus on that instead of winning matches.

 

[Pakhs]

But you dont become a legend of the game by putting on a show. You become a legend by taking wickets and winning matches for his team. He is definitely a great bowler but not in the legend category, simply because he did not adapt. He did not adapt. So could not play more matches. And so he could not take more wickets and win more matches for his team.

No one has become a legend by putting on a show. They have become legends by performing.

The point of cricket is to win matches and trophies and become no 1. Not to bowl the fastest. If trophies were given for fastest bowlers every country would focus on that instead of winning matches.

No you are wrong point of sports is to entertain the audience and get people into sports. Winning or losing is part of sports of course everybody would like to win but that's definitely not the only point. Some countries like India or Pakistan have never understood the point of sports and only want to play spots they are good at but more advanced and educated countries have teams for just about every sport they dont care if they are not good at it.

 

[JattMaula]

Shoaib represents the wild side of the game. Name a "bad" thing, he has done it.

Kaptaan just want to intimidate threw artificially generated aura.

 

[Saj]

Kohli has been a regular performer, Akhtar wasn't.

Kohli has been a leader, Akhtar rarely was.

Kohli has been a consistent matchwinner, Akhtar rarely was.

 

[Mean&Green]

Mamoon is right Akhtars only achievement is bowling fast other than that he is a nobody. He just likes to compare him to everyone that is a legend from the past or is the best at the moment though In reality he’s not worthy of tying their shoe laces. In the past he always compares himself to the great imran khan who he was not even a one percent of and now Kohli lol jog on shoaib.