Virat Kohli: A role model for upcoming cricketers around the world

Virat Kohli broke a couple of records on his way to an excellent century against Australia at Melbourne, in the third One-Day International (ODI) on Sunday. He became the fastest batsman ever to 7,000 runs and also the quickest to 24 centuries in 50-over cricket. With quite a new faces like Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Rishi Dhawan and Manish Pandey coming through the ranks in the Indian cricket team, Kohli is indeed an inspiration to all of them. Kohli has set the standards extremely high for many upcoming cricketers not only in India, but all around the world. He is one of the most versatile players in the world, who can play according to the situation. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Australia 2015-16, 3rd ODI at MCG

Take the ongoing series against Australia for example. Kohli has come in at a time when India have lost an early wicket in all three matches and has scored vital runs to help his side establish a good score. Kohli has built good partnerships throughout his stay at the crease and has not let the tempo of the scoring rate down as well. Another innings that comes to mind Down Under is the unbeaten 86-ball 133, that Kohli slammed against Sri Lanka at Hobart, helping India chase 320 down within 40 overs to earn themselves a bonus point, which kept them alive in the tri-series during their tour in 2011-12.

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Kohli’s ability to switch gears is phenomenal, and it has taken him a long way in international cricket. If there is anyone, who can get close to or even break the records set by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, it is Kohli. There was a time when it was established that it was impossible, but Kohli has not only shown that it can be done, but has also embarked on the arduous journey. At the age of 27, with a long career still ahead of him, Kohli already has 24 ODI hundreds. Tendulkar’s record of 49 tons in ODI cricket can be said under threat.

What is more special is the sheer numbers. With 24 centuries so far in ODI cricket, Kohli is now on the fifth spot in the list of batsmen with most centuries. The Sri Lankan legend, Kumar Sangakkara has 25 tons to his name, which he achieved in 404 ODIs. On Tuesday, Kohli played his only 169th ODI and he is already threatening Sangakkara and others’ place in the list.

Kohli still has the same passion that he had when he led the India Under-19 side to the World Cup win in 2008. His performance in the tournament and his celebrations after the match bore testimony of his passion for the game.  The same can be seen almost every time when he is either charged up and his team is winning. The Under-19 World Cup win was followed by international debut, and the rest is history. UPDATES: India vs Australia 2015-16, 3rd ODI at MCG

Kohli has gone on to become one of the most complete players in the world. He has been handed Test captaincy after MS Dhoni’s retirement and has done a great job so far. He thrives under the role and his performances sky rocket when he is handed the captaincy, something he is accustomed to right from his Under-19 days. It was India’s wins in Sri Lanka (2-0) and the hammering of South Africa at home (3-0) that paved the way for Kohli’s team to become world No. 1 in Test cricket, which happened following South Africa’s loss to England in the third Test.

Kohli looks all set to be handed the limited-overs captaincy as well in the upcoming months, whenever Dhoni calls a day on his international career. If he is appointed the skipper, it will be a step in the right direction without a doubt. We have already seen the team respond well in Test cricket, one hopes that the result will be the same in the limited-overs as well. It may take some time, but it will surely happen.

Kohli, 27, still has a long career ahead of him. If his can carry on in this fashion till the end of his career, Indian cricket can certainly touch unprecedented heights. Indian cricket is in good hands, as long as it has players like Kohli.

(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)