Virat Kohli “is not only a role model for India, he is a role model all over the world”
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Legendary Pakistan left-arm seamer Wasim Akram has lavished praise on India captain Virat Kohli following his sublime run of form as of late.
In 2017, the 29-year-old amassed 2,818 runs in international cricket, which included 11 centuries and 10 fifties, at an average of 68.73. To put this into perspective, it is the third-highest tally ever accumulated in a calendar year.
Kohli, who has performed consistently in all three formats, has enjoyed a lot of success in the first three ODIs against South Africa as he has made scores of 112, 46 not out and 160 not out. As a result, his batting average stands at a jaw-dropping 318.
Former Pakistan batsman Javed Miandad recently admitted that Kohli was a “genius who is the best batsman in the world”.
Akram seems to agree as he was quoted by India Today as saying: “Obviously fitness matters and at a certain age batsmen get the knack, batsmen get an idea how to get runs and I think he got the idea about 2-3 years ago how to get runs, what sort of shots to play and reading the situation.
“He is very good at these things and have you seen his record while chasing!. He is averaging 90 in one day cricket and now he gets 160 (not out) in first innings too (batting first vs South Africa in the 3rd ODI).
“Kohli is a treat to watch. At times when you do think or imagine if I was young and playing against Virat Kohli where would I bowl and I do feel it would be a bit difficult to bowl at him. It doesn’t matter what sort of pitch it is because he is a complete player. I think in world cricket after Sachin Tendulkar, it’s his turn now.”
Akram admitted that Kohli is living up to the expectations of what a captain should do – lead by example.
“It depends on a leader, he is leading from the front, he is a supreme athlete, he is getting runs every game,” the 51-year-old said. “First innings, second innings, Test match, ODIs, T20Is…I think Kohli is not only a role model for India, he is a role model all over the world.”