Home
Virat Kohli is undoubtedly one of the most important figures in the history of Indian cricket, who has contributed massively in the upliftment of the sport in the country. He is the second-highest scorer for the Men in Blue in international cricket only behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, and captained the team in some of their most famous victories. It is safe to say that Kohli has cemented his name forever in Indian cricket folklore.
Though Kohli is widely regarded as one of the best players to ever don the Indian jersey, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu feels that the 36-year-old's achievements are still undermined by many. Rayudu further pointed out how Kohli not only improved the side's batting department with his presence, but also made fitness a very important thing in Indian cricket.
"The kind of things he has done for Indian cricket, I don't think anyone else has. And his value, many people don't realize. It's not just about his batting. Yes, batting is there, but fitness. Before him, players were fit, naturally fit, many of them. But because of him, Indian cricket has reached another level," Rayudu stated on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast.
"Virat Kohli has given Indian cricket the next 100 years in which Indian cricket will dominate. Because what he started is extraordinary. He had the skill, but to that skill he added fitness. Once you are fit, you are always mentally sharper, and your cricketing execution improves that much more. So for Test cricket also, it is very good," he added.
Rayudu's verdict on Kohli's Test retirement
Rayudu also shared his opinion on Kohli's sudden retirement from red-ball cricket and remarked that the latter could have played at least until the end of the England series as he is still fitter than half of the players present in the current Indian team.
"In my opinion, he took it too early, 100 per cent. He should have played this series (against England). He should have played a lot more. Fitness-wise, I don't think even half the players are fitter than him," Rayudu stated.
"I just hope he is happy. Because sometimes people think if you have so many hundreds, or so much money, then you are happy. But eventually, I just hope that he is happy," he added.
Meanwhile, Rayudu announced his retirement from international cricket in 2019 after he wasn't picked in the India squad for the ODI World Cup contested in the same year. He featured in 55 ODIs and 6 T20Is for the Men in Blue and was especially brilliant in the former. Rayudu scored 1694 runs in one-day cricket, including 3 centuries and 10 half-centuries. He maintained a fine average of 47.05 in the format and had the highest individual score of 124*.
ADVERTISEMENT
