Virat Kohli, one of the cricketing world's greatest batters, marked his 35th birthday on November 5, 2023, with an exciting World Cup match against South Africa at the iconic Eden Gardens. As India sought to maintain their undefeated streak in the tournament, the entire Indian team joined forces to create a heartfelt video to extend their birthday wishes to their former captain.
In the video, young Indian batter Shubman Gill applauded Kohli for his unmatched hunger and passion for the game. The wishes were not limited to the players; India's head coach Rahul Dravid, alongside key players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Ravichandran Ashwin, shared their heartfelt messages for the iconic cricketer.
"His hunger and his passion for the game are unparalleled. I have not seen anyone who is as hungry and as passionate as him," Shubman Gill said in the ICC video.
"That fire and dedication towards the game after playing for so long has not fallen down. It only keeps on getting up. So that is something that I can also learn and everyone who watches the game, I am sure, learns a lot from," Bumrah said.
"He has got the fitness culture. He has got the bond. He's always there in the game. And that is something I think which will inspire, obviously a lot of us, but at the same point of time, a lot of millions of fans as well," Hardik said.
Ravichandran Ashwin acknowledged Kohli's transformative impact on the way cricket is perceived in India.
"He's changed the DNA of thinking around Indian cricket. How one batsman needs to perceive it. How one batter needs to prepare for a game," said Ashwin.
Furthermore, Rahul Dravid praised Kohli's remarkable achievements and the benchmark he has set for the next generation of cricketers.
"Virat's a legend of the game and especially this format [ODI]. All formats of the game, but particularly this one. The performances; the way he's been able to finish games, the standard of his performances over the years has probably set a benchmark for his generation of cricketers," Dravid said in the video.
Virat Kohli, renowned for his exceptional skill and fierce commitment to the game, has had a profound influence on Indian cricket and serves as an enduring source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide.
On his special day, Kohli not only received birthday greetings from his fellow players and coach but also had the opportunity to represent India in a high-stakes World Cup match, adding another memorable chapter to his illustrious cricketing journey.
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