Kolkata: When was the last time you saw a celebrated cricketer, also a regular captain of a national team donning the role of a waterboy? Well, an injured Virat Kohli who was forced to sit out of the series decider against Australia in Dharamsala never hesitated to rush to the ground to quench the thirst of his teammates. Now, this is an example. He could have jolly well taken the flight to Delhi to recuperate, but dedication is his forte and Kohli stays back to encourage his boys. If you have watched the action on Saturday (Day 1) in the Dharamsala Test, you may not have missed out on the camera focusing on Kohli in the dressing room. The body language remains as aggressive as ever and the zeal is not thrown into oblivion.
If you know Kohli, he is frustrated at having missed out on the Dharamsala Test, yet he wants to contribute to India’s success. Ajinkya Rahane may be skippering the side in Kohli’s absence, but even if he is remote-controlled by an injured Kohli, the former will not crib. After all, here is a guy who hates to sit in the dressing room while his fellow comrades battle it out on the ground. And Kohli has no ego hassles. It doesn’t matter if he is not part of the XI, the decider is crucial from India’s point of view and he wouldn’t desert his team at this crucial juncture.
Now, a message for that section of the Australian media which equates Kohli with controversial US President Donald Trump: Can an Aussie be magnanimous enough to do what Kohli did today? No Mate, never can he. Yes Kim Hughes did it once years back, but he had lost his captaincy by then and was forced. So, next time, when you sit on your laptop, write a word or two for the Indian captain for whom the country comes first. Your skipper Steve Smith may have scored a hundred on Day 1 of the fourth Test, but the hero of the day is Virat Kohli. Shed your inhibitions and be objective guys! Kohli’s commitment cannot be questioned and you dare not! Yes, he is an icon and youngsters have a lot to learn from him, even if they are from Australia.