Virat Kohli celebrates his birthday during the IND v SA CWC 2023 match in Kolkata.
Kohli, who made his India debut in 2008, has been lauded as perhaps the greatest batter in ODIs in the modern era. His record of over 13000 runs in 288 matches in the format along with 48 centuries and an average of 58 is evident that Kohli has ruled the 50-over cricket.
He is nearing several landmarks, the biggest being equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record of most ODI centuries-49.
To celebrate his birthday, the ICC posted a special video on Instagram, where Kohli's teammates Shubman Gill, R Ashwin, and Hardik Pandya shared their special birthday messages for him. There was also a wish from head coach Rahul Dravid, who called him a legend.
"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," said Dravid.
Hardik Pandya, who has been ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023 due to an ankle injury, lauded Kohli for bringing the fitness culture to the team.
Pandya 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."
Virat Kohli celebrates his 35th birthday; receives grand wishes from cricket fraternity
Pacer Bumrah also had a message for Kohli, and he said, “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.”
R Ashwin, who along with Kohli, is the only player in this Indian squad to have won the World Cup in 2011, said: “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.”
Shubman Gill, the newbie in the team, said that he respects Virat Kohli and there is a lot to learn from the legend.
He said: “His hunger and his passion for the game are unparalleled. I have not seen anyone who is as hungry and as passionate as him.”
Here is the video: