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Opinion
There’s a fierce determination in his dark eyes. They bristle with conquest; a malevolent desire to prove himself as the best against the best.
As the ball is released, Virat Kohli takes a small step back and a small step forward: a ritual designed to ensure his feet are ready to play off either the back foot or the front foot as the ball’s trajectory dictates.
Suddenly he is in full, concentrated motion. The delivery is pitched up and swinging towards the slips. Kohli takes a decisive step forward and his bat meets the ball with such crisp violence that the ball is soon slicing through the infield and on its way to the cover boundary.
That indomitable flame of conquest blazes in Virat’s eyes as he turns his back on both ball and bowler and prepares himself for his assault on the next delivery.
There is a ruthlessness is Kohli’s batting that unnerves me. His iron determination appears impossible to penetrate. It will take something special – or freakish – to get him out because it always does.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
I cast my mind back to the dominant Indian batsman from the previous generation.
Compared to Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar batted with the pleasantness of a cooling breeze on a scorching summer’s day.
I sensed both joy and calm in his eyes rather than malevolence. Sachin loved scoring big runs against the Aussies, but I never felt as though his entire being was focused on beating us (as opposed to merely winning).
Everything about Kohli’s demeanour – from his confident swagger to his belligerent batsmanship – communicates his innate desire to dominate.
And that is why I fear him.
Perhaps not since Viv Richards have I viewed an opposing batsman with such apprehension. Never since Viv have I felt that the game can simply not be won while an opposing batsman remains at the crease.
Virat Kohli is the most complete overseas batsman I have seen in my lifetime. He is physically imposing, replete with every cricket stroke imaginable and a stunning ability to adapt to the state of the game and respond both with daring and with skills beyond those that are required.
If I needed an international player to bat to save my life, I wouldn’t choose Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara or AB de Villiers.
I’d hand my bat to Virat. Every time.
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