Superbat

He is the hottest batsman around. He is also the hottest captain around. Over the next 45-odd days, he will be India’s second-most important personality after the prime minister. On match days, he could easily be the most important person of India, for resident Indians as well as the Indian diaspora around the world. “Layega to Kohli hi!” is a meme on the internet these days, aptly summing up the mood of the nation.

Kohli’s reputation as the best batsman among the current lot is due to his 10,843 runs in 227 ODIs at an average of 59.57, with 41 centuries. He is in great form this year, already having scored 611 runs in 11 ODIs at an average of 55.54 with three centuries. In 2018, Kohli had virtually turned into superman, scoring 1,202 runs in 14 ODIs at an average of 133.55, with six centuries.

Batter No. 1

Cricket’s greats such as Brian Lara, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Ian Chappell and Nasser Hussain are all betting on Kohli. “Definitely Virat Kohli,” Steve Waugh said. “He’s No. 1.”

His mindboggling numbers confirm one thing — the Indian team banks heavily on Kohli the batsman. Indian fans have no doubt that India’s totals batting first or in run chases will primarily be about Kohli’s stay at the crease — somewhat similar to the situation India faced during the time of Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli is, in fact, a more prolific run-scorer than the Master Blaster, and his ability to score centuries exceeds Tendulkar’s. The bad thing, however, is that India are over-reliant on their batting mainstay, even though experts rate India’s batting as next only to England’s in the tournament. Kohli, with 873 runs at an average of 54.56 in 22 matches in England, is the prime reason behind India’s rating.

Play around Kohli

However, there will be days when Kohli the batsman will not fire. If that happens, India would struggle to put up a big score: For instance, in the first World Cup warm-up game against New Zealand, India folded up for 179 after Kohli got out on 18.

Tendulkar says the focus on Kohli is unfair because one man can’t win a tournament such as the World Cup on his own. “I think you will always have a couple of individuals stepping up every game but without team support, you can’t do much,” Tendulkar said. “Just because of one individual you can’t win a tournament. No way… unless others chip in at every crucial stage. If that doesn’t happen, there will be disappointment.”

Risk-free smasher

Kohli’s ability to pace his innings according to the situation and the ability to raise the scoring rate without taking big risks is his biggest asset. As an adept No. 3 batsman, he has evolved his technique over the years and now has all the shots in his book. He may not have six to seven different shot for one delivery — as Tendulkar had — but Kohli does have the tenacity and mental strength to wait for his opportunity.

As captain, Kohli is not a finished product yet but in this World Cup India’s captaincy concerns are not serious as MS Dhoni would be standing behind the wickets.

“It is probably the most challenging World Cup of all the three that I have been a part of because of the format,” Kohli said recently.

What will be he doing on July 14, the day of the World Cup final?

As a colt, he had done it for India in the U-19 World Cup in 2008. He has been part of two ODI World Cups, a member of the winning team in 2011 and the leading batsman of the semifinalist team in 2015. This time as captain, he wants to make the World Cup his own.

Great Numbers
Kohli has flourished as captain

80.84
Is his average as captain — as a regular player, his average is ‘only’ 51.29!

95.24
Is his average in wins in chases in ODIs. His average in wins batting first is 57.00 — he thrives under pressure

21
Centures by him in wins while chasing is the most in ODI cricket. Sachin Tendulkar is next-best on this list with 14 100s

25
Centuries by Kohli in chases, easily the best in ODI cricket — the next-best is 17 centuries by Sachin Tendulkar

116.33
His average in wins batting second when leading the team. He’s made 10 centuries in this category, easily clear of six by Stephen Fleming and Ricky Ponting

India Squad
Virat Kohli
Captain marvel

Factfile

Age: 30 years 203 days
Born in: New Delhi
Major teams:  India, Delhi, Royal Challengers Bangalore

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