Virat Kohli’s cricket journey has been nothing short of incredible. His career is true testament to not just his extraordinary talent, but also his unwavering determination and unparalleled passion for cricket. He went from being a young, promising cricketer to becoming one of the greatest batters to have played the game. Kohli’s unbelievable work ethic, unyielding commitment to fitness and his insatiable hunger for success have set new benchmarks for excellence. His batting prowess, coupled with his leadership and aggression, has made him an icon.
Through the years, we’ve witnessed many facets of Kohli. From a dejected, lovelorn player to the top of the world, to rock bottom and then a comeback for the ages.
2014: The year that changed everything
India’s tour of England in July 2014 marked a turning point in Kohli’s career. Realisations, epiphanies, enlightenments – 2014 was probably the year where Kohli had all of them. Losing his wicket to James Anderson four times in the series, struggling to put bat to ball, and a nothing IPL. Kohli, when reflecting back on the year, said that he lost all credibility as a player.
Test cricket requires you to maintain composure and emotional endurance, and maybe that’s where Kohli struggled the most. In that sense, 2014 was a pivotal phase for him. After a few sessions and conversations with Sachin Tendulkar and Ravi Shastri, he was ready to take on the world once again.
“Ravi bhai asked me one thing if I was afraid of the short ball,” said Kohli. “I said no. Then he said ‘Good, then stand outside the crease.’”
That conversation transformed Kohli, and perhaps “standing outside the crease” served as a metaphor for facing his fears head-on. That was also the year when Virat started his extreme physical transformation that people still talk about. Olympic lifts, sprinting with an altitude mask, he did it all.
2016 – What the World Looks Like from the top
Everything that Kohli had worked for came to life in 2016. He had the Midas touch, every ball that hit his bat went for runs and boundaries. Every time he walked to the crease, he transformed the game into a golden spectacle. No bowler could decipher the sorcery that was Kohli’s batting. It seemed that no matter where they bowled or what they tried, the only outcome was their demolition. There was no ball in the world that could get him out, or so it seemed.
There were 2595 runs in 41 innings in international cricket, 973 runs in the IPL and three successive Test series wins. Kohli was untouchable. No batter had dominated International cricket like he did.
Something that is possibly not talked about enough is his contribution to Test Cricket. Being the crowd-puller that he is, Kohli as captain brought back the excitement for Test cricket in India. When the popularity of the oldest format was dwindling, he ensured a new high by leading the team to the No.1 ranking in Test cricket.
2019 – The tide turns
Having seen what everything looked like from the top of the world, maybe destiny wanted him to have a tour at the bottom too. Kohli’s career took an inexplicable, capricious and erratic turn. People who have followed cricket closely or played it themselves know bad form is inescapable and is merely a part and parcel of the game. Fans who did not understand that simple logic had a lot to say about him.
Kohli was on the field, he was batting, but somehow he was detached from the game. He admits to being in denial, feeling vulnerable, cranky and snappy at the time. He felt he needed to be away from the game to ignite the spark that had once blinded the world. Unlike before, there was no ball in the world that couldn’t get him out.
2023 – A changed Kohli
Kohli, when asked recently about his two-year-long slump, said “Now I’ve seen everything”. That phase was a reminder that superhumans are humans after all. He did not shy away from talking about his mental health. Showing a side that no one had ever seen before. The Kohli who exuded hyper-masculinity had now revealed a sensitive, vulnerable side and, most importantly, a side that could fail. His brand of cricket had been typified by aggression. He now said: “Those angry celebrations are a thing of the past.” And suddenly, we had witnessed the transformation of one of the greatest batters.
His journey has had its share of ups and downs, just like anyone’s life. What sets him apart is his ability to learn and grow. After a challenging period where he faced a dramatic slump in form, Kohli emerged as a whole different person – wiser, more determined and adaptable. He showed us that change is a part of not only cricket, but also life, and it’s how we respond to it that matters.
He worked tirelessly on his game, both technically and mentally. His commitment to the team’s success is truly commendable. Kohli’s story reminds us that we can bounce back from setbacks and his dedication to evolving is a valuable lesson for all of us. He’s not just a cricketing legend; he’s a symbol of resistance, growth and the human spirit’s capacity to overcome challenges.