At 35 years old, Virat Kohli is solidifying his claim to be the greatest 50-overs player of all time after a prolific World Cup campaign on home soil. Previously part of the “Fab Four” alongside Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson, Kohli has outshone his peers, especially in the past decade after inheriting the premier batsman mantle from the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

During the period from 2011 to 2019, Kohli consistently scored over 1,000 ODI runs a year seven times. After a nearly three-year hiatus without a century in international cricket, he ended the drought in September last year. In the current World Cup, Kohli has been in exceptional form, emerging as the top-scorer with 711 runs in 10 matches, including three centuries.

Notably, Kohli surpassed Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI hundreds in Mumbai, achieving his 50th ODI ton in just 279 innings compared to Tendulkar’s 452 innings. His ability to thrive under pressure, particularly while chasing, is evident, with 27 of his 50 hundreds coming in second-innings situations.

“I couldn’t be happier that an Indian broke my record,” Sachin Tendulkar wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, to congratulate his protege.

“And to do it on the biggest stage – in the World Cup Semi-final – and at my home ground is the icing on the cake.”

“I am a huge fan of Virat … and he continues to show why he has to go down as one of the all-time greats, right up there with the likes of the great Sachin,” Richards wrote in his column for the International Cricket Council.

“Many people have made comparisons between the two of us over the years, partly because of our shared intensity on the Field.

“I love Virat’s enthusiasm… He is always in the game and I like individuals like that.”

While age and fatherhood may have brought about a sense of mellowness, Virat Kohli still possesses the ability to captivate audiences with a compelling display when he graces the field.

Once on the cricket field, Kohli doesn’t shy away from the spotlight; instead, he commands it. This holds true even when he’s celebrating the dismissal of a rival, a moment in which he might not have played a direct role.

Adored by fans, Kohli has a magnetic presence. His influence extends beyond the boundary ropes—his gestures or a mere stare can whip up frenzied support from the stands, providing the team with an extra dose of motivation. Equally, he can use his authority to prevent the crowd from booing a rival, such as Steve Smith, or discourage any taunting directed at a fellow Indian player. Kohli’s leadership on and off the field reflects not just skill but a unique ability to connect with and command the respect of both teammates and supporters.

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