Speaking recently, Sir Vivian Richards discussed Virat Kohli outstanding performance in the 2017 ODI World Cup. In his speech to the ICC, he described himself as a fervent admirer of Virat Kohli and discussed how the Indian player is solidifying his place among the all-time greats.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has been amazing, and some of the performances have left me really pleased. It has been amazing to watch as a batter, and I don’t think fans anywhere in the world could have hoped for anything better.
There have been numerous excellent outings and some extremely terrific pitches for scoring runs. Aiden Markram and Glenn Maxwell have both scored century that break records, Quinton de Kock has had a fantastic tournament; and young Rachin Ravindra appears to be a gifted player.
Even though there have been many gifted people on display, Virat Kohli stands out above the rest. I have always been a big fan of Virat, and he keeps proving why he deserves to be included among the all-time greats, right up there with the likes of the legendary Sachin. Before this World Cup, Virat will have experienced some difficult moments, and some people were even bold enough to demand his head.
The people in the backstage and those who supported him deserve recognition. Despite everything that has been stated about his form, he is back to his best. It is amazing to watch someone who has experienced setbacks recover and perform at this level. They believe that form is ephemeral, but he has unquestionably demonstrated that class is eternal. I am ecstatic for him; he exudes dedication and is a great asset to the cricket community.
Virat Kohli is a doer, and his mental toughness is what makes him unique.
He will have supported himself the entire time, and his mental toughness has always been apparent when I’ve spoken with him and we’ve discussed issues in the past. That has been essential in helping him progress to his current level of performance. Very few individuals, or players, are constructed that way.
Over the years, a lot of people have compared the two of us, in part because of our similar levels of energy on the field. I adore Virat’s energy; he is captivating whether he is fielding at long-on or long-off when one of his bowlers hits the pad. I appreciate people that are like that, and he is always in the game.
Another stylish batsman is Shubman Gill, who is only one of several players who get all the big shots. I only hope that nobody forgets that there once was a man named Vivian Richards who occasionally went out and played like that without a helmet! With the possible exception of the reverse sweep, which would have been foolish without the lid on, I like to think I had some of the shots played today. Although the game has advanced significantly, I would like to think that my scoring rate is comparable to that of the players playing now. As a fan, I am happy with the state of the game right now.
India is approaching the competition this year with the belief that they can win everything by playing this way. I would think the same thing if I were in the dressing room: let’s go out swinging. the is exactly how they should think. Thus far, that strategy has proven effective; if it alters, things could not go as planned.
It’s certainly something to aim for, in my opinion, that they can go the entire distance without losing. Some people might be worried that even though they have played so brilliantly thus far, the semifinal match could still be awful. They must make an effort to disprove those and get rid of any bad ideas.
Pakistan may yet get to the knockout stages, but given their talent, I can’t help but believe that they ought to have guaranteed their place by now. Although they have made things difficult for themselves, I believe the team has more potential than their position in the table would indicate. I have witnessed firsthand how talented they are via my coaching work in the Pakistan Super League in recent years. There might be some punch remaining in that squad because they can defeat the greatest on their day.
For me, seeing Afghanistan at this World Cup has been one of the pleasures. They are in the game constantly if they receive a score of more than 250 in their bowling class. Even though Australia’s incredible Glenn Maxwell innings kept them from winning, they have made a significant impact recently, and their performances will serve as an inspiration to Afghan cricket players.
On the other hand, it is unfortunate that West Indies supporters haven’t had the chance to watch their team play. Given how important this tournament is to us, I hope it serves as a wake-up call. Our two World Cup victories in 1975 and 1979 continue to rank among my career’s high points.
It was an amazing sensation to take the trophy home and leave our mark on the international scene. I hope the boys who are playing now will be reminded of it and inspired to perform at that level.
India
