Vintage Virat Kohli shows his class with 28th Test hundred against Australia in Ahmedabad Test

Some said he was no longer great against the spinners on helpful tracks. Perhaps, this one knock from Virat Kohli, a long form essay spread over two days answers all the questions.

Vintage Virat Kohli shows his class with 28th Test hundred against Australia in Ahmedabad Test

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli added another chapter in his love story with cricket, this time, after a pause. The wait for his 28th Test hundred (186) seemed like ages, stretching well over three years. Finally, when the big moment came, he was all smiles. A look into the sky after taking off his helmet, kissing his locket, these were emotions of a man who has been in seeming turmoil. No, not because had been in poor form, but the gap between potential and promise was glaring.

Having set such lofty standards, the former India captain blossomed, though this Test century was like a craftsman taking his own sweet time to create a masterpiece. That this ton came at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in the BGT series was special. Application, concentration, effort and the willingness to stay at the crease in the summer heat of Ahmedababd, Kohli’s knock was all about the willingness to prove himself.

Way back, in 1970, well known American novelist Erich Segal wrote “Love Story,” a book which is sold and read even today. It was later adapted into a movie, and did roaring business. This is Virat Kohli’s own Love Story with cricket, where he is the author, he is the dramatis personae. He was the director as well, when he was skipper in all formats. Once he slipped back into the role of being a performer like actors, the reinvention was not easy.

Some feel, from leadership to being just a worker is easy. No, not when you happen to be Virat Kohli, who has faced criticism in tons and handled it with nonchalance. There is a lot of stuff going on his head and heart, but he bottles it up. Yet, when he had to release that emotion after scoring his long-awaited Test hundred, he kissed the lock around his neck. It, apparently, is the wedding ring given to him by wife Anushka Sharma, his lover and life partner.

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Statisticians had a busy day tracking Virat Kohli’s runs as he buried the Aussies

Vintage Virat Kohli shows his class with 28th Test hundred against Australia in Ahmedabad Test
Virat Kohli

It has not been easy at all for Virat Kohli being a celebrity, husband of a well known actress and how much news he generates. From being the West Delhi boy who loved “chhhole bhature” to emerging as one of the fittest cricketers in his mid 30s, the metamorphosis has not been easy. His diet plan changed six years ago and today if he is vegetarian, he has had to made a lot of sacrifices for it.

It is not easy to give up oily food, shift to a diet which is healthy and at the same time one which caters to the demands of being a top cricketer, fit as a fiddle. Virat Kohli is a marvel, an all-format batter at this age in modern cricket, with a willingness to keep pushing. Through this series, as well, he has faced critics. He handled it well, not bothered by what was being said, on air and in print.

He was meddling the ball well, just that the small knock was not becoming big. Experts said he was being troubled by the spinners, Nathan Lyon in particular. Some said he was no longer great against the spinners on helpful tracks. Perhaps, this one knock from Virat Kohli, a long form essay spread over two days answers all the questions. Most important, he was not in a rush. His patience was a reflection of his serenity and spirituality.

After all, there is another facet to Kohli, of a man who is just another normal human, spiritual and down to earth. Frequent visits to a specific ashram and the Mahakaal temple recently in Ujjain were proof he has embraced life in totality. It is this state of nirvana one got to see when he batted — focussed and full of energy. There was a bout of cramps, before his innings ended, but nothing to feel ashamed of.

To be out there, plot the great innings for Team India, be part of several partnerships from early on till the end was symbolic of Kohli being the quintessential team man. Statisticians had a busy day tracking Kohli’s runs as he buried the Aussies. This was one wicket which provided no help for the bowlers, yet batters had to stay there and show they were willing to play with full concentration. Kohli defined what it was to score runs not by striking lusty blows but pacing out his innings.

His running between wickets was top class, his ability to egg on partners was praiseworthy. Like Erich Segal, Virat Kohli has written a new chapter in his own love story. Wonder, what more he has to add as he still plays ODIs and T20 internationals plus the IPL.

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