Indian cricket has seen many a legend grace its lush greens, but few have captured the imagination of fans and critics alike as Virat Kohli has. With a career that has been nothing short of phenomenal, the seasoned batter has endeared himself to millions, not just with his on-field prowess but also with his off-field humility. Despite a wealth of records and accolades, Kohli maintains a stance that is both refreshing and telling of his character—he does not consider himself the 'GOAT' in cricket.
Kohli, who turned 35 on November 5, Sunday, began with an ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2008, marking the rise of a cricketing star who would go on to become a pivotal figure in India's lineup across all formats. With an enviable tally of 26,209 runs at an average of 54.03, including 78 centuries and 136 fifties, his statistics paint a picture of consistency and excellence. However, statistics only tell part of the story.
During an interaction with Star Sports, Kohli finally answered a million dollar question when he was queried about his standing as a GOAT. The 35-year-old humbly responded, "Nah yaar, I'm not that GOAT and all. I'm not the greatest."
As the cricket world turns its gaze to the India versus South Africa match in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, where Kohli is poised to potentially match Sachin Tendulkar's ODI century record. Celebrating his 35th birthday, Kohli has an opportunity to crown his special day with a historic feat, adding yet another chapter to his illustrious career.
Meanwhile, right ahead of the India vs South Africa match at the Eden Gardens stadium on November 5, head coach Rahul Dravid in a pre-match conference said,"I think Virat’s been really relaxed and as you can see in his performances, you know, batting really well for us, really keen to do well as he always is. So, look, I haven’t noticed anything different. He’s always been the same,” Dravid said.
“He’s always been professional, always been hardworking, always been switched on. So, nothing different. And no, I don’t really think he’s thinking too much about 49 and 50, and probably certainly not about his birthday getting a year older. But no, I think he’s been really focused on winning the tournament and playing some good cricket for us. I think he’s doing that really well,” he added.
The ongoing tournament has witnessed Kohli narrowly missing out on centuries, with dismissals in the 80s and 90s, yet he has accumulated 442 runs in 7 matches at an impressive average of 88.40 and a strike rate of 89.47.
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