Virat Kohli is the second highest run-getter in ODI cricket, and has the most centuries in the format.
Abhishek Nayar, former India cricketer and assistant coach, recalled an incident that showed why Virat Kohli has managed to attain such greatness amidst stiff competition in the world of cricket. The incident occurred during India's tour of Australia last year, after the Champions Trophy.
Kohli managed consecutive ducks on his return to the Indian team, and when Nayar offered help with some advice, the great batter politely declined, saying he trusted himself to work through the lean patch. And work through it he did.
"I've known Virat for a really long time, but one thing I realised in the recent past is that the reason Virat Kohli is Virat Kohli is because of the belief systems he has. No matter what happens, that belief never changes. When Virat was struggling in Australia and had those two ducks in the ODI series, I'd just come out of the Indian team, so we were still in touch,” Nayar said on JioStar’s ‘Googlies’.
“I asked him if everything was okay and whether there was anything he wanted to talk about. He simply said, 'No, all good. It's part of the game.' I then said, 'I have an observation. Do you want to hear it?' He smiled and replied, 'No, I'll do it my way.' I laughed. After the next game, I got the answer, 'I did it my way.' For me, that is the hallmark of Virat Kohli. The great players know how to do it when the going gets tough. We can analyse, imagine and envision, but they've done it repeatedly at the highest level. That's why my respect for players like Virat and Rohit is so much,” Nayar added.
In the recent first ODI of the three-match series against England, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to impress the critics, with Rohit falling for 11 runs in 21 balls and Kohli getting dismissed for 5 runs.
Nayar stated that the presence of Kohli and Rohit in the Indian team brings in the much-needed experience in the unit that was lacking when the Men in Blue lost the T20I series to England 0-4.
"What Rohit and Virat will bring is calmness and confidence, and that only comes with experience. The T20I squad lacked experience, so having players who have consistently performed against England across Tests, ODIs and T20Is will give the dressing room belief because they know how to win. It won't be easy. England have identified certain areas they can target, and after a 4-0 T20I series defeat, there will naturally be some pressure on the team. However, the confidence that Rohit and Virat exude can positively influence the rest of the squad. They have also had time to prepare before the ODI series, and that preparation should help them perform impressively. I hope they have a strong series," mentioned Nayar.
Virat Kohli will be next in action when India takes on England on July 14 in the second ODI in Cardiff.