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When it comes to Indian cricket, two batters are always mentioned- Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. One was considered the Sun of the Indian batting for more than two decades. He is known as the God of Cricket for his unmatched contribution to the game. Whereas, Kohli has rightfully filled the big shoes of Tendulkar. He is the only batter to stand close to the legend Sachin Tendulkar regarding batting records.
Both have their loyal fanbase; however, it is an interesting debate among cricket lovers- “who is the king of cricket!” Let us assess some factors that will help us find out.
What is the Title of King of Cricket?
You call a player, king of the game when he achieves something extraordinary. Cricket is the most popular sport in India; therefore, any cricketer performing well becomes a sensation nationwide.
Those who lead the team towards victory across all formats, get enormous amounts of love from people. Additionally, if a player continuously contributes for a long time, he earns reliability. People start trusting him above everything. Consequently, they call him the king of cricket.
Who is the King of Cricket?
When it comes to the title “King of Cricket,” one name shines above the rest — Virat Kohli. Renowned for his exceptional consistency and fierce determination, Kohli has shattered numerous records throughout his career. With almost every match he plays, a new milestone gets added to his already impressive legacy.
His dominance isn’t just limited to the scoreboard. Kohli has also led the Indian cricket team as captain across all three international formats — Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). His passion, leadership, and hunger for excellence have made him not just a fan favorite but a true icon of the sport.
Related Read: Virat Kohli Family – Father, Mother, Siblings, Wife & Kids
Why is Virat Kohli Called the King of Cricket?
Several powerful factors have shaped Virat Kohli’s journey to becoming the King of Cricket. Let’s explore these elements that set him apart:
Natural Talent Backed by Relentless Hard Work
From an early age, Kohli displayed remarkable cricketing talent. But it was his unyielding dedication that transformed potential into greatness. He prioritised fitness, practiced rigorously, and honed his skills to become one of the finest batsmen in modern cricket.
Breakthrough in the 2008 Under-19 World Cup
Kohli first rose to national attention when he captained India to victory in the 2008 Under-19 World Cup. His leadership, composure, and performance on the global stage marked the arrival of a future star.
A Stellar International Debut and Consistent Growth
Kohli made his international debut in 2008 against Sri Lanka in an ODI match. Since then, his consistent performances have earned him a permanent place in the Indian team. He evolved from a promising youngster to the backbone of India’s batting line-up.
Mastery Across All Formats
Be it Tests, ODIs, or T20Is, Kohli has dominated every format of the game. With countless centuries and match-winning innings, his versatility and hunger for runs have made him a nightmare for bowlers worldwide.
Fearless and Aggressive Batting Style
Known for his aggressive approach, Kohli doesn’t shy away from taking on even the fiercest bowlers. His high-octane performances and fearless attitude have thrilled fans and changed the dynamics of modern batting.
Impactful Captaincy
As captain, Kohli brought a new level of intensity and professionalism to the Indian team. Under his leadership, India achieved several memorable wins and developed a fighting spirit that defined a new era in Indian cricket.
Commitment to Fitness and Discipline
Kohli’s transformation into a fitness icon is as inspiring as his cricketing journey. His strict discipline, diet control, and dedication to peak fitness have set a benchmark for athletes worldwide.
A Global Icon and Brand Ambassador
Off the field, Kohli’s charisma and work ethic have turned him into a global brand. He endorses top companies and has become a household name, extending his influence far beyond cricket.
Related Read: Virat Kohli School Name
Virat Kohli: The King of Cricket & His Cricket Statistics
He has represented India in all formats: Test, ODI, and T20. In the IPL, he has made many records for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He has also been the captain of the IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore, but till now, his team has not been able to win a single title in IPL.
IPL Matches: In IPL, he has scored 8004 runs by playing 252 matches. For this, he has scored 8 centuries and 50 half-centuries. For this, he has hit 705 fours and 272 sixes.
Test Cricket: In Test Cricket, he has scored 9163 runs by playing 120 matches. He has scored 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. For this, he has hit 1022 fours and 30 sixes.
One-Day Matches: In One-Day matches, he has scored 13906 runs by playing 295 matches. Kohli has scored 50 centuries in one-day matches and along with this, he has also scored 72 half-centuries. Virat also holds the record of scoring the most centuries in ODIs. To score so many runs, he has hit 1302 fours and 151 sixes.
T-20 Matches: He has scored 4188 runs in 125 T-20 matches. Virat has scored only one century and 38 half-centuries in T-20 matches. To score so many runs, he has hit 369 fours and 124 sixes.
He has many centuries and half-centuries to his name. Kohli’s biggest strength is his consistency and aggressive batting. He is considered one of the most successful batters in the history of cricket.
Historical Kings of Cricket: A Brief Introduction
There have been many great batters in the history of cricket, but there are some who took the game to a new height. Three of these legends are Sir Donald Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sir Vivian Richards. Let’s know a little about these three:
Sir Donald Bradman
Donald Bradman is often called the ‘God of Cricket.’ His average in Test cricket was 99.9, which is an unprecedented achievement, and no one has been able to do so till now. His batting style was highly technical and elegant. He took Australian cricket to new heights.
Sachin Tendulkar
After Sir Donald Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar is also called the ‘God of Cricket.’ He played international cricket for 24 years and has a lot of records to his name. He has scored the most runs in both Tests and ODIs. He was considered the face of cricket around the world.
Sir Vivian Richards
Sir Vivian Richards was one of the most explosive batsmen of the West Indies cricket team and is also called the King of Cricket. His batting style was very aggressive, and bowlers were afraid to bow to him. He helped the West Indies win two World Cups. His performance was excellent, even under pressure.
Also Read: RCB Performance Over the Years in IPL
Why do Fans call Virat Kohli the King of Cricket?
There are many reasons behind considering Virat Kohli as the King of Cricket:
Incredible Performance: Kohli has consistently performed brilliantly in all cricket formats. He has many centuries and plots and has led the Indian team to many significant victories.
Aggressive Rivals: Kohli is known for his aggressive rivals. He has shown many tattoos and has entertained the audience with his performance.
Performance under pressure: Kohli is known to perform brilliantly even in pressure situations. He has often pulled India out of difficult situations.
Fitness and Discipline: Kohli is also known for his fitness and discipline. He has kept a unique process for his fitness and always tries to give 100%.
Experience of the Christian: Kohli is also the scientist of the Indian cricket team. He has led the team to many big victories and infused a new energy into Indian cricket.
Priority: Kohli is one of the most popular players in cricket. He is liked by millions of people all over the world.
Fans call Virat Kohli the King of Cricket because of the most popular among them. His talent, hard work, discipline, and aggressive aggression have made him one of the most excellent bankers in the history of cricket.
Also Read: Virat Kohli Biography: Career, Records & Life Story
Criteria to Be the King of Cricket
To become the King of Cricket, a player has to fulfill many criteria. First of all, he should perform consistently well in all cricket formats. He should have many centuries and half-centuries to his name. Apart from this, he should also know how to perform well in pressure situations. Leading the team as a successful captain is also essential. Winning the World Cup, leading your team to significant victories, and breaking records are also vital for this title. Along with this, the popularity, discipline and fitness of the player can also be essential factors.
Shubman Gill: Potential Successors of King of Cricket Title
Shubman Gill has immense potential to become the king of cricket. He started performing brilliantly in international cricket at an early age. He played his first ODI against New Zealand in 2019. Gill has scored many centuries so far and runs are constantly coming out of his format. So far, 2328 runs have been scored in a total of 47 matches. Gill has scored 5 centuries and 13 wickets for this.
Looking at his technique, variety of artistry and artistry, he can become one of the most prominent players of cricket. The way Virat Kohli took the responsibility after Sachin retired, probably Gill can fill the huge shoes of Kohli once he leaves international cricket.
