What's new

Virat Kohli - The Mega Discussion

The runs are flowing now. With the way Kohli is batting now and if Yadav manages to keep his wicket, a double century could be on the cards.
 
With each passing day, Virat Kohli continues to add to his list of admirers. Having garnered praise from the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly, Steve Waugh and many more, the latest to individual to stand in awe of the Indian captain and his batting is Zaheer Abbas, one of considered by many world cricket’s most stylish batsman.

Zaheer, who was among the first few cricketers to wear spectacles while playing, in conversation with the Times of India, termed Kohli a “legend of the game”, a sentiment that was echoed by MS Dhoni not too long ago.

“For me, a legend is one who dominates his own generation and Kohli is doing that with a degree of ease. That makes him already a legend,” Zaheer said. “Kohli plays with a lot of authority on both sides of the wicket, giving you the impression that he is a class player. His feet movement is extremely assured and there is an element of fearlessness in his game which I really admire.

Impressed by Kohli’s recent knocks of 149 and 51 during the Edgbaston Test, Zaheer believes that the Indian captain falls in the league of some of the world’s best batsmen across all generations and expects him to continue his fine form in the remainder of the series.

“I have seen a lot of great Indian players and he is right up there. I don’t like comparing generations, because each era has its own demands, but Kohli is as good as anybody else,” Zaheer reckoned. “He showed that he can be good in English conditions and I am expecting good things from him.”

Comparing India’s underwhelming performance in England to that of Pakistan, Zaheer mentioned how the presence of a quality fast bowling attack over the years has aided Pakistan, giving them edge over their arch-rivals. England toured Pakistan in April with the two-Test series ending in a 1-1 draw.

“You know it’s always about Pakistan’s bowling. They have always had a great attack and even now, it is quite potent. India, on the other hand, always used to be about their batting and it continues to be so. That’s one of the reasons why so many India-Pakistan games used to end in draws, because your batting line-up and our bowling line-up used to cancel each other out,” Zaheer pointed out.

India and England were to begin participating in the second Test at Lord’s on Thursday, but persistent rain washed out the entire passage of play on the opening day.

http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/kohli-dominates-his-own-generation-zaheer-abbas-734023
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Virat Kohli Surpasses MS Dhoni, Becomes First Indian To Score 4000 Runs As Test captain

India captain Virat Kohli on Saturday added another record to his statistics as he became the first Indian to score 4000 runs as captain in Tests. Virat Kohli achieved the milestone during the fourth Test match against England at The Rose Bowl cricket ground in Southampton on Sunday. Ahead of the five-match Test series, Kohli needed 544 runs to complete 400 runs as captain in Tests and the 29-year-old amassed 544 runs at an average of 68.00, including 2 centuries and three half-centuries to reach the landmark.


Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is second in the list with 3454 Test runs as captain. Dhoni, who led India in 60 Tests, has five centuries and 24 half-centuries under his belt.

India batting legend Sunil Gavaskar is third in the chart. He has 3449 runs as Test captain.

Kohli also became the 6th Indian cricketer to score 1500 runs against England. India batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar tops the list with 2535 runs against England. He scored seven centuries and 13 half-centuries at an average of 51.73.

Apart from Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar (2483), Rahul Dravid (1950), Gundappa Viswanath (1880) and Dilip Vengsarkar (1589) are the Indian batsmen who have scored 1500-plus runs against England.

Kohli also became country's highest run-getting Test skipper overseas. The record was previously held by former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly, who has 1693 runs to his name.

The India captain took 19 Tests to achieve the milestone, while Ganguly played 28 Tests overseas as captain.

Dhoni is third on the list with 1591 runs at an average of 32.46. Dhoni has played 30 Tests as captain overseas.

Mohammad Azharuddin has 1517 runs under his belt in 27 Tests as captain while playing on foreign soil.

Rahul Dravid is fifth in the tally with 1219 runs at an average of 46.88. Popularly known as "The Wall", Dravid led India in 17 Tests overseas.

https://sports.ndtv.com/england-vs-...an-to-score-4000-runs-as-test-captain-1910244
 
MMHS said:
Don't know about talent, but Virat has the best temperament. I think, from PAK Umar & Shehzad can match him stroke by stroke, but Virat is groomed by a great batting coach at NCA Bangalore (notoriously tough for his unmindful students, believing in make or break, no half measures) in his early teens & has developed into very good batting habits, like conversion of starts & make the fielding side get you out. On contrary, Umar is trained by novices who think, either you drop youngsters to learn from club level domestic games or put him in pads isolated at a corner so that they don't repeat the same mistake.

Then comes the mentor, SRT/Rahul vs..........

Umar & Shehzad are lucky than Nazir that, at least, better late than never, they have got someone as batting coach, who knows a few things more than arranging nets. I told it early several times & stick to that, if anyone breaks SRT's ODI hundred record, first person 'll be Virat. I am a fan of the boy & like his attitude. He 'll be a tremendous Captain.
Click to expand...

Less 7 years, and he is more than half way though - a tremendous Captain as well; for more than tactics & motivation most weight-age on Captaincy I give is for leading from the front; rest little is for fan boys to back their non-performing heroes (applicable everywhere - none needs to be sensitive for this line).
 
MMHS said:
Less 7 years, and he is more than half way though - a tremendous Captain as well; for more than tactics & motivation most weight-age on Captaincy I give is for leading from the front; rest little is for fan boys to back their non-performing heroes (applicable everywhere - none needs to be sensitive for this line).
Click to expand...

great call there but come on Shehzad and Akmal can match Kohli sot for shot - I dont think so :70:
 
Tusker said:
great call there but come on Shehzad and Akmal can match Kohli sot for shot - I dont think so :70:
Click to expand...

They indeed did in 2011. In fact, Umar did better in 2010 - Shane Bond will tell you that.
 
MMHS said:
They indeed did in 2011. In fact, Umar did better in 2010 - Shane Bond will tell you that.
Click to expand...

Yes I watched that kings but With due respect there is hardly any comparison between Kohli's shot making and Umar both are very different players ... the key difference is the laser sharp ball placement along the ground , extreme use of wrists to generate power and just the overall asthetics of shot making.
 
Kohli is a great batsman, no doubt about it. But, He needs to work on his attitudes to gain respect from the average cricket fans. He acts like a kid on the field. It's difficult to even imagine that a grown up man can act like that. He has a lot to learn from the likes of Dhoni, Mushfiqur, Williamson about how to behave maturedly both on and off the field.
 
Tusker said:
Yes I watched that kings but With due respect there is hardly any comparison between Kohli's shot making and Umar both are very different players ... the key difference is the laser sharp ball placement along the ground , extreme use of wrists to generate power and just the overall asthetics of shot making.
Click to expand...

innings not kings ... lol
 
Tusker said:
Yes I watched that kings but With due respect there is hardly any comparison between Kohli's shot making and Umar both are very different players ... the key difference is the laser sharp ball placement along the ground , extreme use of wrists to generate power and just the overall asthetics of shot making.
Click to expand...

In 2011, I factored all 3, U23 batsmen's potential - sadly, VK has moved upwards exponentially, other two has gone opposite at same rate.

Umar was exceptional in his first 1-2 years, easily best back-foot player from PAK since Inzi. And, he was equally good against spin - his 1st or 2nd knock in ODI was against Murali at Colombo, and he scored 104* at like 120 SR, some of his inside out lofted drivers against turning ball was a treat to watch. Then, almost single handed took PAK to 2009 CT SF. Today, the spin bunny that you see was totally different in 2010, brilliant foot work and power; and a clutch player who would deliver under pressure. Sadly, after 2011, he has gradually lost everything - a prime example of where bad coaching, mentoring, poor system & personal negligence can take a potential career. 40 years back, after that initial tour of AUS-NZ (he had 2 49s as well in AUS), he would have landed straight in Counties for 2010 summer, 3-4 years there and you would have seen a different batsman. Sadly he went to the laps of Afridi & Basit Ali.

Shehzad still plays exquisite shots - like a tracer bullet, bulls eye towards the fielders. I watched Shehzad probably in 2008 in a junior game for PAK at Savar - he has regressed considerably since that U18 days!!!!

These days, it's almost embarrassing to see that I put those 3 names in one post; but trust, me it wasn't such in 2011. Not only me, these 3 have fooled many.
 
RainMan_ said:
Kohli is a great batsman, no doubt about it. But, He needs to work on his attitudes to gain respect from the average cricket fans. He acts like a kid on the field. It's difficult to even imagine that a grown up man can act like that. He has a lot to learn from the likes of Dhoni, Mushfiqur, Williamson about how to behave maturedly both on and off the field.
Click to expand...

Kohli is a pretty chill guy off the field. A good role model.

Plus, he backs up his aggression with world-class batting.
 
25 test centuries for King Kohli

He is now just 26 test centuries behind Sachin :srt
 
Kohli's aggression and attitude on the field is what makes him what he is. True, some fans from other countries don't like it. But who cares, most of us Indian fans don't want him to change at all. If he does, it will be massively disappointing for us.
 
cricnut said:
He will be an ok Type of Batsman , certainly not a Legend.
Click to expand...

Lol this didn't age well.
This shows that people don't know anything and also shows that Babar Azam COULD be a world class batsman if he works hard enough
 
Hitman said:
Kohli's aggression and attitude on the field is what makes him what he is. True, some fans from other countries don't like it. But who cares, most of us Indian fans don't want him to change at all. If he does, it will be massively disappointing for us.
Click to expand...

Those are just jealous passive-aggressive prima-donnas wishing for yesteryear.

What Dada and Kohli have done for Indian cricket has been worth its weight in gold.
 
RainMan_ said:
Kohli is a great batsman, no doubt about it. But, He needs to work on his attitudes to gain respect from the average cricket fans. He acts like a kid on the field. It's difficult to even imagine that a grown up man can act like that. He has a lot to learn from the likes of Dhoni, Mushfiqur, Williamson about how to behave maturedly both on and off the field.
Click to expand...

LOL about sneaking in Muahfiqur there. I don't think even Muahfiqur's don has anything to learn from his dad. Others are great players at least but that clown is a disgrace
 
freelance_cricketer said:
That's quite phenomenal.

Though his real competition in ODIs have been ABD, Amla, Warner.
Click to expand...

AbD has retired, Warner averages 43 he is as much a competitor to kohli as rayudu is a competitor to kohli, actually hackidu has a better average. Amla is the greatest stat padder in the history of odi cricket.
 
Kohli's success is much more amplified by lack of competition from other batsman. There isn't any batsman with similar stats as him today.

Sachin's stats are similar to many other players, and it's only longevity where he stands out.
 
As KP said on twitter yesterday, Kohli is making a lot of good ODI batsmen look absolute muppets with his numbers.

41 hundreds in 224 ODIs is simply outrageous.

He has 11 in last 26 ODIs.
 
someone21 said:
Kohli's success is much more amplified by lack of competition from other batsman. There isn't any batsman with similar stats as him today.

Sachin's stats are similar to many other players, and it's only longevity where he stands out.
Click to expand...

Scaling his 23 year achievement in 10 years means he is already within the touching distance. His career is not even half done.
 
I am convinced that he is the most complete batsman to have ever lived.
 
Definitely a GOAT given the influence he is having in limited overs format as well as the peak years in test cricket.
 
virat is just on a different level.


tendulkar is more on the level of rohit sharma and shikhar dhawan
 
Tendulkar was a GOAT as well.

Remember how he smoked the bowling attack of the three greatest fast bowlers Pakistan ever produced during the WC 2003 match in alien conditions of South Africa.
 
That is not true at all. Kohli has just reached 60% of Tendulkar's runs in ODIs and has less than half of his Test runs. It is very easy/tempting to pull down past masters but that does not mean it is right.
 
Ab Fan said:
Tendulkar was a GOAT as well.

Remember how he smoked the bowling attack of the three greatest fast bowlers Pakistan ever produced during the WC 2003 match in alien conditions of South Africa.
Click to expand...

agreed but the w's were past their best.
 
Chokli said:
agreed but the w's were past their best.
Click to expand...

Both are GOATs IMO.

Kohli is better in ODIs but Tendulkar was arguably a level ahead in tests, averaging almost 60 at peak while for Kohli, it has risen to 54 only.
 
He’s been outstaged so far by Warner and Williamson.

Kohli is hitting half centuries and his counterparts are hitting 150s

Where has his form gone?
 
freelance_cricketer said:
He’s been outstaged so far by Warner and Williamson.

Kohli is hitting half centuries and his counterparts are hitting 150s

Where has his form gone?
Click to expand...

He has been his usual brilliant self, but he hasn’t had the time to score big hundreds because of the consistency of the Indian openers.

He scored 80s and 70s against Australia and Pakistan because he came too late to the crease, and his 67 today on a sluggish pitch was a remarkable effort.
 
He’s the greatest batsman of his age but he has yet to have a meaningful role in any WC.
 
i don't think Kohli has not been brilliant in his own right as of now. In today's game it is his knock that made the difference.Superb knocks against AUS & PAK too.So just because a few others are doing better than him doesn't mean he has been off colour
 
Barring the SA match, he has been superb.

Hasn't got too much time at the crease since the openers are doing a great job. Otherwise would have easily had one daddy ton to his name by now.
 
This is not the best of Kohli for sure. One reason openers gave him little time. That's okay. I don't mind.
 
Mamoon said:
He has been his usual brilliant self, but he hasn’t had the time to score big hundreds because of the consistency of the Indian openers.

He scored 80s and 70s against Australia and Pakistan because he came too late to the crease, and his 67 today on a sluggish pitch was a remarkable effort.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. In both the matches against Australia and Pakistan, he came in to bat around the 25th over.
 
Yes, agree that he is batting very well and that he is near his best.
Just that his best is not better than others.

Si far, In this WC he is way behind Root and Williamson and just behind Smith.

Let’s see in witch order they will finish.
 
Mobashir said:
Yes, agree that he is batting very well and that he is near his best.
Just that his best is not better than others.

Si far, In this WC he is way behind Root and Williamson and just behind Smith.

Let’s see in witch order they will finish.
Click to expand...

Let's see how they fare in the business end of the tourney when it matters the most.
 
Hes evolved in the role of a proper leader this WC.. Hes not only concerned about how he is doing but also how to get the maximum from all of those around him.
People comparing Sharma with him are just being short sighted. The last match against AFG clearly demonstrated the different roles and responsibilities these two have in the Indian team. Sharma is remarkable but Kohli is just on another level. I honestly dont believe ive seen anyone quite like him.
 
Grunge101 said:
Hes evolved in the role of a proper leader this WC.. Hes not only concerned about how he is doing but also how to get the maximum from all of those around him.
People comparing Sharma with him are just being short sighted. The last match against AFG clearly demonstrated the different roles and responsibilities these two have in the Indian team. Sharma is remarkable but Kohli is just on another level. I honestly dont believe ive seen anyone quite like him.
Click to expand...

By the time he is done, he will be the GOAT Asian cricketer and probably top 5 of all time.
 
Mobashir said:
Yes, agree that he is batting very well and that he is near his best.
Just that his best is not better than others.

Si far, In this WC he is way behind Root and Williamson and just behind Smith.

Let’s see in witch order they will finish.
Click to expand...

His best is twice as good as anyone else. 41 hundreds at only 30.
 
Mamoon said:
His best is twice as good as anyone else. 41 hundreds at only 30.
Click to expand...

Not talking about quantity, playing more, different conditions, bilateral series against 2nd/3rd best attack of other countries.

Same conditions, nearly everyone present, most matches matter.

Let’s see.

So far a little behind but in the mix.
 
Mobashir said:
Yes, agree that he is batting very well and that he is near his best.
Just that his best is not better than others.

Si far, In this WC he is way behind Root and Williamson and just behind Smith.

Let’s see in witch order they will finish.
Click to expand...

Behind Smith?

How
 
freelance_cricketer said:
Behind Smith?

How
Click to expand...

Smith played a match winnings innings against West Indies, also his innings against Sri Lanka, coming in after 23 overs at 100/2 he gave the acceleration.

Kohli is yet to play an innings with such impact.
Both his fifties against Aus and Pak were fine innings but he came in very favorable conditions.

I will put Smith in front but it’s marginal, if someone thinks they are at the same level or even puts Kohli a little in front, it’s fine.
 
Mobashir said:
Smith played a match winnings innings against West Indies, also his innings against Sri Lanka, coming in after 23 overs at 100/2 he gave the acceleration.

Kohli is yet to play an innings with such impact.
Both his fifties against Aus and Pak were fine innings but he came in very favorable conditions.

I will put Smith in front but it’s marginal, if someone thinks they are at the same level or even puts Kohli a little in front, it’s fine.
Click to expand...

His "match winning" innings against WI was 73 (103). They would've lost the match if not for Coulter-Nile at the end.

Kohli made a match winning fifty in his last match against Afghanistan on a tough pitch.
 
Ultimate show of selflessness by Captain Kohli - Declares not out on 254

He has never scored a triple century and had he continued batting till the end of Day 2 he would have got there.

But I stand to salute the selflessness of this man in his relentless pursuit for test victories.

He is the greatest leader India ever had and one of the greatest ever.
 
Couldn't agree more. It was an absolute travesty to have seen some posters claim Sarfraz was a superior captain over him in the last 18 months or so.
 
Nothing ultimate about it. We had 600 runs on board already and only few overs remaining in the day.
 
You make it sound like he declared when he was on 294. He was 46 runs away. There were already enough runs on the board. They needed to bowl at South Africa.
 
Agree but some times you need to focus on personal milestones aswell:39:

This is good chance to him to reach 300 but he declared
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Quickest to 7000 Test runs (number of innings):<br><br>131 Wally Hammond<br>134 Virender Sehwag<br>136 Sachin Tendulkar<br>138 Gary Sobers/ Kumar Sangakkara/ Virat Kohli<br>139 Mohammad Yousuf<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1182631185475952642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
He'll never be greater than Smith in tests . That dude is a monster player. Across all formats yeah maybe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Buffet
Kumar Sangakkara versus Virat Kohli in the Test format
2 3
Replies
177
Views
2K
Hawkeye
H
Ab Fan
Virat Kohli versus Kapil Dev – who is the greater Test cricketer and who made a bigger impact?
Replies
27
Views
392
amax
amax
FearlessRoar
Virat Kohli named as ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year (2023)
Replies
25
Views
1K
mikeypbadana86
M
Z
The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 discussion
2
Replies
118
Views
6K
FearlessRoar
FearlessRoar
Hitman
'He's among top 4, 5 greatest cricketers I have seen': Courtney Walsh on Virat Kohli
Replies
12
Views
1K
Asad T
Asad T
Back
Top