Virat Kohli's unmatched popularity has crossed boundaries, finding him ardent fans even in Pakistan, often surpassing the fanbase of their own captain, Babar Azam. Former cricketers and commentators continue to marvel at Kohli's magnetic presence both on and off the field. In a light-hearted interaction, cricket legend Wasim Akram shares his amusing take on Kohli's omnipresence.
Given the mammoth stature of Kohli's fandom, it is almost inevitable to spot him on various platforms - whether it be gracing the cricket field with his impeccable skills, lighting up television screens with appearances or captivating audiences at diverse events. Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener, has often spoken about the phenomenon of player worship, invariably holding Kohli as the epitome of this adulation. Kohli's magnetism isn't merely restricted to his prowess with the bat; it's the aura he carries, which ensures he remains the focal point of discussions wherever he goes.
This constant limelight on Kohli has often been the subject of banter among cricket pundits. Most are more than willing to delve deep into discussions centered around him, but a few, like the iconic Wasim Akram, have displayed their playful exasperation with Kohli's omnipresence.
As India and Pakistan geared up for another chapter in their age-old cricketing rivalry during the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, the legendary Akram shared a light-hearted observation.
"Today I walked past him and told Virat Kohli that you come in my dreams now. He replied saying 'what do you mean Wasim bhai? I told him because I see so much of you all the on the television screen. I just can't get him out of my mind," reminisced Akram during a chat with the host broadcaster just before the two captains gathered for the coin toss.
Nevertheless, Wasim Akram couldn't help but admire the brilliance of Kohli. He extended his accolades to emerging stars like Shaheen Afridi and of course, Babar. For Akram, these titans of the modern game exude confidence that makes them stand tall, especially in high-pressure situations like an India vs Pakistan duel.
"Virat, Babar, Shaheen and all these match winners, they play this game for these moments – India vs Pakistan. I mean, for Pakistan everybody wants to perform and vice-versa. This is just made or break. Not for guys like Virat Kohli and Babar Azam but for young guys. These games are fun. Yesterday, the whole Colombo was buzzing," Akram concluded, capturing the essence of these high-octane encounters.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Ex-Australian cricketer launches scathing attack at Rohit Sharma, claims Indian captain doesn't deserve to play ODIs
IND vs PAK, Asia Cup: KL Rahul replaces injured batter as Bumrah returns; pace-heavy Pakistan to bowl first again
