Former Indian captain Virat Kohli is arguably the best batsman in the world. He is the only batsman who has maintained a batting average in excess of 50 across formats. This is what sets him apart from most other batsmen of this modern era.
Virat Kohli is not just a great batsman but is also one of the fittest cricketers in the world. He has set a great example for youngsters to follow suit. Kohli is yet to win a single ICC trophy for India as captain.
Under his tutelage, India reached the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 but lost to Pakistan. Two years later, India reached the semi-finals of the ICC ODI World Cup 2019 but lost to New Zealand.
In 2021, India locked horns with New Zealand in the ICC World Test Championship final but lost the game by 4 wickets. Under Kohli’s guidance, India might not have won an ICC trophy but accomplished several other things.
Kohli’s team defeated Australia in Australia for the first time in the history of Test cricket. Besides that, Virat Kohli & Co registered a 5-1 series win over South Africa in South Africa for the first time in ODI history.
Kohli represented India in 101 Tests, 260 ODIs and 97 T20Is, scoring 8043, 12311 and 3296 runs respectively. He averages 50 in Tests, 58.1 in ODIs and 51.5 in T20Is. He scored 7 double centuries, 27 centuries, 28 fifties in Tests, 43 centuries and 64 fifties in ODIs and 30 fifties in the truncated version of the game.
Meanwhile, Kohli hasn’t been in good form for a long time now. His last century came against Bangladesh back in 2019 and since then, he failed to register a huge score. He is currently plying his trade for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ongoing edition of the IPL.
Kevin Pietersen reacts after Kohli scored the slowest half-century of his T20 career
During the game against Gujarat Titans, the former RCB captain scored the slowest half-century of his T20 career. He scored 58 off 53 balls with the help of six fours and a six. This is also his maiden fifty of this season’s IPL.
“What he needs to do is to have a look at Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo. Two similar brands in their different teams and in their sports. You have Virat Kohli right at the top of cricket, his brand is right at the top of cricket.
Cristiano Ronaldo is right at the top of football. One plays for Manchester United, and one plays for RCB and India. Those are big brands and they are going to be talking points. Those big brands also want to maintain their status in the game by winning,” Pietersen said on Star Sports.
“Virat Kohli’s greatest attribute, how many games he has won for India while chasing. Virat Kohli is my greatest batter in this country because he has won so many games for India chasing. That is something you look at, that is something he cherishes and is so proud of.
This knock yesterday, he would be looking and thinking some beautiful shots, absolutely fantastic shots and I felt good. But I know he is a champion, he is a winner and I know that he would be fuming that those weren’t enough for the win,” he further stated.