Individual star player Shubman Gills terms Virat's craving and enthusiasm for cricket "unrivaled
Sunday, November 05, 2023
India's star batsman and former captain Virat Kohli celebrates his 35th birthday today and Team India has expressed their admiration for their teammate.
Hailed as "King Kohli" by his cricket fans and admirers, the 35-year-old cricketer is celebrated for his exceptional batting talent on the cricket field.
Kohli, who hails from New Delhi and celebrates his birthday on November 5, has been hailed as one of the best batsmen in world cricket. His discipline and prowess make him an unbeatable force in the game.
The right-handed batsman will take on South Africa at the Eden Gardens today, looking to maintain India's unbeaten record in the 2023 World Cup.
To celebrate his birthday, the Men In Blue appreciated Kohli's dedication to the sport and his professionalism while representing Team India in a video released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Instagram.
"His hunger and passion for the game is unmatched. I haven't seen anyone as hungry and passionate as him," said young Indian batsman Shubman Gill while talking about his senior colleague in the video.
Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah appreciated the cricketer's dedication to the game.
"That fire and determination for the game hasn't gone away after playing for so long. He just keeps getting back up. So that's something I can learn as well and I'm sure anyone watching the game will learn a lot." " he said.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya takes inspiration from Virat's fitness culture, bond and presence in the game.
“It has a culture of fitness. It has a bond. It's always in the game. And that's something that I think will inspire, of course, a lot of us, but also a lot of millions of fans," Pandya described.
Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who was also a part of the video, credited the batter for changing the way Indians view cricket.
"He changed the DNA of thinking around Indian cricket. How a batsman has to perceive it. How a batsman has to prepare for a match," Ashwin said.
Rahul Dravid, former Indian batsman and acting head coach of the team, praised Kohli for being a "legend" and setting the benchmark for his generation of cricketers.
"Virat is a legend of the game and especially this format [ODI]. All formats of the game but especially this one. The performances; the way he could finish games, the standard of his performances over the years probably set the benchmark for his generation of cricketers," said the former India batsman .
