GOAT (Greatest of All Time), an abbreviation used in almost every sport, is a symbol of respect toward a player.
The GOAT title is not easy to achieve and reserved only for those players who consistently perform at the highest level for their country or team.
Talking about cricket, GOAT describes a player who has demonstrated great skills and performed consistently across all formats.
Only the most dangerous bowlers and batsmen in history are considered to be called a GOAT. It is a testament to their skills, commitment, perseverance, and love for the sport. This article will focus on the Indian perspective of GOAT in cricket.
In the context of India, there have been numerous great players throughout the years. However, currently, Virat Kohli is called the GOAT of cricket in India.
Let’s discuss why Virat Kohli is widely regarded as the GOAT in Indian cricket.
Virat Kohli, one of the modern greats, exudes confidence to perform in any condition or format. Virat Kohli is a batsman with classical playing style and modern touches. He has exceptional records against top cricket-playing nations.
Some of his shots in any format of the game are a sight to marvel at. The cover drive is simply the most elegant and textbook-style shot that Virat plays, no fan can deny that.
Combined with the stroke playing ability, aggression on the field, and will to stand and deliver, he is considered one of the modern greats in world cricket. Virat Kohli has also been a part of one of the most dangerous teams in IPL History.
Here are some attributes that make Virat Kolhi the Greatest of All Time in the modern era.
In any form of sport, maintaining consistent performance is the most challenging aspect, and a player needs to match or even surpass the best of the best to earn the title of GOAT.
Virat’s second nature is consistency, whether he is playing in Indian colors or for his franchise. Consistency comes naturally to him, and he strives to deliver the best performance for his team.
His consistency as a player motivates others to give their best on the field. And it reflects in his leadership skills. India has won several tournaments under his leadership.
Captaincy is certainly a challenging task and every batter finds it hard to perform effectively during their captaincy. But Virat Kohli is a different beast. The added pressure of captaincy didn’t deter him from performing on a personal level.
He has achieved a lot of records in his formative years. Here is the list of some of the records.
Virat is an aggressive or passionate individual and lets the opposition know he means business whenever they are on the field. He leaves no stone unturned and ensures that his team has a competitive edge over the opposition.
More often than not, Virat uses his hands and eyes to influence the opposition players and it can deflate the morale of any opposition or individual.
Australians are naturally aggressive players, and they love to poke players from opposite teams to get them to make mistakes. But in the Border Gavaskar trophy, it backfired for Australians when they tried to poke at Virat. The more the Australians tried sledging him, the more calm and composed Virat became, letting his bat do the talking on the field.
With that kind of aggression and energy, the other team members also feel motivated. This translates into better on-field performance for the team and ultimately winning the match.
Virat works very hard on his fitness and has a strict regime. He is conscious of what he needs to do or what to eat. He is considered one of the fittest players in the world. Fitness has been one of the key factors among others for his continued success in cricket.
He lives a disciplined lifestyle, maintaining a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise. His fitness regimen is personalized to meet the requirements of cricket, which necessitates high levels of strength, endurance, and agility.
The technique of playing shots all over the ground has made Kohli what he is today. He is the most solid and technically sound batsman in the world of cricket.
He has perfect grip, stance, and exceptional footwork that allows him to hit any ball to the boundary. This type of play enabled him to show remarkable consistency across all formats, be it ODIs, Test, or T20s.
He has the ability to play exceptional shots and mould his game according to the situation. This ability makes him a cut above the rest.
His technique is based on classic textbook format, with his head in the right position and a strong base, allowing him to play both on the front foot and back foot to counter various bowling styles.
And the most important thing about his technique is the ability to adapt to different playing conditions. He can be as effective in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, or England as he can be in India.
His records have been nothing short of exceptional in SENA countries. And in SENA countries he is also the most successful Asian captain.
When it comes to leadership, the only word to describe Virat is Passionate.
Virat Kohli is one of the most successful captains in the world. He took over the captaincy of all formats in 2017 and gave us many victories.
India won many bilateral series, the historic test series in Australia, and Asia Cup in 2018 under the leadership of Virat Kohli. He has an aggressive leadership style and leads from the front.
He is not afraid to take risks and make bold decisions, earning him the trust of the team as well as the fans. The energy he brings to the field is contagious, it always pushes the team to strive for best performance.
As a leader, he always communicates with his players and listens to their opinions and ideas. This approach creates an environment of responsibility within the team.
Virat’s leadership have played a significant role in the team’s success and have contributed to the growth and development of individuals as well.
Also Read: Which IPL Franchise Has the Most Fan Following
In the present era, few embody the spirit of cricket as effectively as Virat Kohli, who stands not only as a formidable player but also as a remarkable ambassador for the sport, supported by his impressive amazing milestone.
In this section, we will look at some of the milestones Virat Kohli achieved in his illustrious career.
The GOAT term is used to describe the greatest of all time in sports. In cricket, Sir Donald Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sir Vivian Richards were among the cricketers who were once-in-generation players.
But, in the modern era, Virat Kohli is considered the GOAT in cricket. Earlier, it was Sachin Tendulkar, and now it is Virat.
As we’ve explained earlier in the article, his consistency, aggression, fitness, technique, and leadership skills make him the perfect cricket player.
Hope this helps you understand why Virat is highly regarded in the cricketing fraternity.
Do give us your comments and thoughts on this piece.
