CHENNAI: Just before the beginning of the third Test against England in Mohali, Virat Kohli posted on Twitter a message that Conor McGregor, the UFC champion, considers as the bible. After posting it in the form of an image, Kohli left a post script. “Top man, top words and so true.”
The message revealed a fascinating insight into the mind of the 28-year-old. “There’s no talent here, this is hard work,” it began. “This is an obsession. Talent does not exist, we are all equals as human beings. You could be anyone if you put in the time.”
The Indian skipper has opted to become the Atlas of world cricket. With a tiny difference — this Atlas never shrugs. Greater the burden on his shoulders, better the response. Sunday’s innings against England was the latest in a long line of barely believable acts of clutch.
The side has been blessed because of two batsmen — MS Dhoni and Kohli — possessing the ability to play the role of finishers. However, both take very different routes. While the former almost always insists on marathoning the sprint before changing gears on the home stretch, the latter has come and changed the rules. He chases down targets like the athlete in charge of running the anchor leg in a sprint relay – fast, faster and fastest.
While nine years is a smaller sample size (India with Kohli in ODIs) compared to 34 years without him, the Men in Blue have never had it this good earlier. Here is an example.
In the 359 ODIs India chased in before his debut, they won 185 games for a win-loss ratio of 1.163. Not shabby, but nothing to write home about. Since his debut (August 18, 2008), it’s other-worldly. Seventy five wins from 120 at a W/L ratio of 1.973. Almost two wins for every loss.
Former chairman of the national selection committee, Kiran More, says it is because of Kohli’s drive and hunger. “That will to win and succeed is very important and you can see he has lots of those,” More told Express.
“Also, the attitude and hunger. Every time he walks into bat he has the belief to chase down the target that has been set.”
Having the belief is just part of the solution. You also need the mental toughness and the chutzpah to pull it off. The Indian plan to chase 360 against Australia in the 2003 World Cup final is a case in point. It was revealed that Sachin Tendulkar gathered his teammates and broke it down.
“A boundary every over means we will have to chase only 160 from 250 balls.” It failed.
Fourteen years is a long time in any sport, and former India all-rounder Rohan Gavaskar says ODI cricket has changed enormously in the last two decades. “A lot of things have helped Kohli and the Indian team,” he said. “The rules have changed with respect to the amount of fielders you can have inside and outside the ring. The IPL has helped in terms of exposure.
“The likes of Kedar Jadhav have played Dale Steyn every week for two months in the last nine years. All those things help when you are confronted with a chase like the other day.”
There is some merit in the IPL argument, given that off the 11 times India have crossed 320 batting second, nine have come after May 2008. The common strand, though, is Kohli. He played in eight of those, scoring tons in six. India won five of those.
swaroop@newindianexpress.com