Virat Kohli: Winning matches, winning hearts!
Sorry Rabada, but Virat Kohli is not ‘immature’. At least not in 2019.
From showing the middle finger to a hostile Aussie crowd at the SCG to stopping Indian fans from heckling Steve Smith at The Oval – Virat Kohli has surely, most definitely and absolutely come a long way from his older self. As a player, as a captain, and more importantly – as a human.
He’s aggressive on the field, he spouts profanities every now and then. He also celebrates victory with equal vigour. But, he’s not known to take the boos, not for himself. And not now, for an opponent who has earned repute in international cricket through years of hard work. Those chubby cheeks are gone and they’ve taken away the childish arrogance. Behind that lean, rugged look lies a benevolent man who has learned from his own experiences. He’ll still mercilessly tear you apart with his batting, but the unnecessary antics are no more. A fist pump, a flying kiss to his wife, at the most a cuss word he so dearly holds. No more middle fingers, just applause for the opposition. This is Virat 2.0.
On Sunday, London’s Kennington Oval was dipped in a sea of blue as India took on five-time world champions Australia in their second World Cup game. The Indian top order was cooking up a storm by taking the Aussie bowlers to the cleaners. Kohli was being his usual self at the crease when Australia’s Steve Smith was sent to field on the boundary.
Returning from a year-long ban for ball tampering, the Australian was booed by Indian spectators with loud, repeated chants of ‘cheater’. It was at this moment that Kohli’s unexpected gesture took everyone by surprise. The Indian captain turned towards the crowd, gestured the fans to clap for the Aussie batsman and then walked back nodding his head in disbelief. You could see the annoyance on his face. You could see he’s no longer the man who once revelled in abusing his opponents.
With India fans giving Steve Smith a tough time fielding in the deep, @imVkohli suggested they applaud the Australian instead.
Absolute class ? #SpiritOfCricket #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/mmkLoedxjr
— ICC (@ICC) June 9, 2019
It’s not the first time Australia’s tainted duo has been booed in this World Cup. Southpaw David Warner is at the receiving end of a similar treatment right from the practice matches leading up to the tournament. For once, the team and its fans that resorted to sledging and heckling for years were being given a taste of their own medicine. But Kohli went a step ahead on Sunday. Not only did he summon the Indian crowd, but also apologised to Smith on their behalf. A friendly handshake and a pat on the back between these two greats made for a pleasant sight. And it’s not a common sight.
Kohli is the last person you’d expect to play the ‘nice guy’, even more so when the opponents are Australian. But that attitude has changed. There’s a calm about him that’s just hard to ignore. And it reflects in the way he bats, talks, walks, laughs. Anyone can be a captain, but it takes a special someone to be a leader. Kohli may not fit into the ideal captaincy mould, but he’s the leader who inspires you to do good. A statesman of the game, nothing but pure class.
From love-hate to love-love, look at what you have done to me, VK.
