Dunya Exclusive: Block, build and bludgeon – that's Kohli
Cricket
Block, build and bludgeon – that’s Kohli
By Ahad Khan
There are few individuals in the world who have made their mark in their respective fields. These individuals have a very unique strength, that is, they hone their skills when no one is watching and they show their skills when the whole world is eyeing them. This is what sets them apart from the rest of the world.
If we talk about the sporting world, examples of Muhammad Ali (boxing), Pele (football), Bradman (cricket) and Jordan (basketball) come to our minds. They with their stellar and epoch-making records have engraved their names in the annals of history, yet most of the people from this generation have not seen their miraculous feats.
This generation is aware of modern-day sporting greats such as Messi, Khabib and Virat Kohli.
Virat Kohli, the flamboyant Indian cricketer, represents the true essence of performance - talent, technique and temperament. What Kohli has is what others lack. If we crack his top two qualities which place him poles apart from his competitors, those will answer the question.
First, Kohli is the most secure cricketer of the modern-day era as he is way too much comfortable in his own skin. Even if he has few hang-ups, he is so open about them that opponents' confidence starts shattering when they listen to him.
Even after disclosing his vulnerabilities by himself, his competitors find it hard to break him on the field. That's the kind of strength one can achieve only after mastering one’s skills when no one is watching.
Second, Kohli's perseverance in every possible situation is remarkable. He is forcefully waded into controversies unlike any other cricketer of this generation. Rambunctious talk show hosts never shy of maligning him when he is underperforming. Yet his response comes with his performance on the field.
In dealing with media, when met with extremely eerie questions, he conducts himself so nonchalantly as well as confidently that stymies any negativity emanating from the opposite side. This is definitely how a true sportsman behaves in the face of multifarious challenges.
Given these extraordinary qualities, no one has been able to surpass him so far. As far as game challenge is concerned, whenever chips are down, he comes to the crease, steadies the ship with his incendiary knock and help his team snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Virat Kohli performs when his team needs it the most. His form in the world cup speaks volumes for his skills. Without an iota of doubt, when he is batting, what the viewers see is sheer poetry.
It is not proper to draw false comparisons – say between Kohli and any other batter. It's good that a player is on his way to become a great but it's not fair when that player doesn't perform in high-voltage world cup games and one still insists that he is better than Kohli.
Kohli is Kohli. He seems to have perfected the art of batting through block, build and bludgeon strategy. Let me add he is the Picasso of modern-day cricket.
