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The Delhi-born Virat Kohli has established himself as a modern day legend. Kohli has not only revolutionised Indian cricket circuit with his batting but his high fitness standards which have become the goal to achieve for many budding cricketers. While many believe that he started filling the void Sachin Tendulkar left in the side after his scintillating knock against Sri Lanka in 2012 or with his highest ODI score against Pakistan, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes it happened during India's tour of West Indies in 2011 when he struggled against pacer Fidel Edwards and failed to score a half-century from six innings.
At one point, Kohli doubted himself whether he is cut out for Test cricket when Harbhajan told him that it will be a shame if he doesn’t score 10,000 runs in the format.
"If I tell you something about his Test cricket, at the very beginning. We were in West Indies. On that tour, Fidel Edwards (former West Indies quick) had troubled him a lot, getting him out either LBW or against the short ball. He was getting out time and again, so obviously was very disappointed. He had self-doubt, questioned 'If I am good enough?' I told him 'You will shame yourself if you don't score 10000 runs. You have the capability of scoring 10000 runs in Test cricket. And if you don't, it'll be because of your own fault'. After that, what Kohli has done is a once-in-a-lifetime exception," Harbhajan said on Taruwar Kohli's podcast.
Kohli went on to break Tendulkar’s record for most ODI centuries. He is often being named in various former cricketers’ all-time ODI XI. However, at 35, he is still away from the 10,000 run-mark in Test cricket. He has 8,848 runs from 113 Tests at an average of 49.15. He has 29 centuries and 30 fifties to his name.
Harbhajan calls Kohli more stubborn than himself
Harbhajan is impressed with Kohli's stubborn, never give up attitude and how his mindset has had a positive impact on Indian cricket.
"I have seen him change. His diet, his mindset – 'That I don't want to be just an ordinary player. I want to be someone who people will know for a long time'. The stubbornness I saw in myself, Kohli has a lot more of it. I want to be that guy winning games and scoring hundreds for India. He was scoring hundreds back-to-back in Australia. It was the first time India chasing 400 runs… and they are going after it. We may lose but we'll fight. That attitude of keep going, that's what makes you a player. Kohli has left an everlasting impact on Indian cricket," added the 44-year-old.
Kohli chasing milestone
Later this month, Kohli will have a chance to complete 9,000 runs in Test cricket. He needs 152 more runs to achieve the milestone and become fourth Indian batter to do it. The veteran batter has a good record against Bangladesh averaging 54.62 with 427 runs from nine innings including a double century.
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