DNA Mumbai Anniversary: Virat Kohli - the rebel who made a difference

The Oxford dictionary describes a ‘rebel’ as “A person who fights against the government of their country…; a person who does not like to obey rules or who does not accept normal standards of behaviour, dress, etc.”

Virat Kohli is anything but a rebel in the true sense. His rise in stature to being the richest cricketer in the world and the richest Indian sportsperson, according to the latest Forbes list, has made him a ‘rebel’ in a different manner.

India’s cricket captain in all formats and the No. 1 ranked ODI player in the world, Kohli could be cricket’s version of James Dean, albeit not always a rebel without a cause.

It reflects in the way Kohli makes his point firmly and takes apart the opposition attack with his inimitable style of batting and leads the team with his never-say-die attitude that has made him a much sought-after sportsperson like none in the current generation.

Kohli’s fearless approach has rubbed on to the rest of the team-mates. He showed it in his very first Test as captain, then as a stand-in for the injured Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Adelaide in December 2014 when faced with a target of 364, he told his team to go for it, leading by example with his second century of the match only to fall short by 48 runs. He instantly won many hearts.

India could have easily played it safe and settled for a draw, but that was not the brand of cricket Kohli wanted to play. He did not mind losing while going for a win, and that was something that set him apart from some of the past Indian captains.

Kohli has been often described as a brash, arrogant youngster after he guided India to their Under-19 World Cup title in 2008 in Malaysia. It was a flawed assessment of his personality by those who did not know him. He was wrongly perceived as brash. To those who have followed him closely, it was nothing but supreme confidence that actually catapulted him into the top league. It is that confidence that has made him the world beater today.

Kohli always worked to be different from the rest. He wanted to take the Indian team to a different pedestal after taking over from Dhoni, who himself set new standards for the Indian team.

The 29-year-old ‘king of run chases in limited-overs’, has in a way, fought the system like a rebel would. He was ready to take on anyone to be the best in his field. As a youngster, he would pester his coach to allow him to bat at a higher position. He would worry at losing out on his batting stint at the No. 4 slot when chasing small targets. He would also insist on playing with the seniors because the junior circuit did not throw him challenges.

That confidence and fearless character has stayed with him. The Indian team is the beneficiary because of this astonishing athlete on the cricket field.

With the first Test in the much-anticipated series in England a couple of days away, all eyes will be on Kohli. The last time he toured England in 2014, he performed abysmally with the bat, averaging only 13.40. But the way he has subsequently worked hard at not just his game but also on his fitness has made him a ‘welcome’ rebel.

Runs have been coming in the form of double centuries from his blade with ease and the ability to do it at alarming frequency has been because of his supreme fitness regimes. 

Giving up the beloved parathas and consuming only healthy diet has rubbed on to his team-mates so much so that the Yo-Yo test for which he has set the benchmark has been dreaded by those who have not looked after their bodies.

India’s pride is the world’s envy. Kohli is a ‘rebel’ with a difference, and the more challenges you throw at him, the more determined he is to win over them.