During his tenure as the captain of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli exhibited a passion for the game that extended to his fitness and nurturing a formidable fast bowlers’ lineup. While renowned for his batting prowess, Kohli’s modern-day greatness is underscored by his 76 international centuries, a feat that places him second only to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in terms of international centuries.
However, there exists a lesser-known facet to Kohli’s cricketing prowess – his bowling skills. Despite being primarily recognized as a top-order batter, Kohli’s bowling abilities have also left a mark on the field. Having secured four wickets in both ODIs and T20Is, along with three wickets in first-class cricket.
At the recent Asia Cup 2023 squad announcement, Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma provided an interesting perspective when queried about the current team’s bowling options compared to the 2011 World Cup-winning squad. In response, Rohit Sharma humorously remarked, “The 2011 team had individuals who excelled in both batting and bowling. We must work with the resources we have now. Our focus is on providing opportunities to those who are performing well. While these players are primarily batters, they’ve earned their place due to their ability to score runs.
Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), seated alongside Rohit Sharma, quipped, “We’ve managed to convince them.” The light exchange further added a touch of camaraderie to the moment.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a valued member of the Indian cricket team and Kohli’s teammate, offered an amusing insight into Kohli’s alternate role as a bowler. When asked about his least favorable bowling partnership, Bhuvneshwar responded, “It has to be Virat Kohli. When he steps up to bowl, we all become a bit anxious, not wanting him to sustain any injuries. His bowling action is so smooth that we’re always hoping he won’t bowl (laughs).” Bhuvneshwar shared this anecdote at the CEAT Cricket Rating (CCR) awards ceremony in Mumbai.
In response to inquiries about Kohli’s genuine interest in bowling, Bhuvneshwar shared, “Virat does have a keen interest in bowling. He genuinely believes he’s the finest bowler in the team. However, he might be the only one who holds that belief.
Among the ones presented at the CCR awards, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was honored with the ‘CEAT T20 Bowler of the Year’ award for his remarkable performance from June 2022 to May 2023. Cricket legends Madan Lal and Karsan Ghavri received the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award, while Shubman Gill was recognized as the ‘Men’s International Cricketer of the Year.’ Deepti Sharma’s outstanding contributions to the game earned her the title of ‘Women’s International Cricketer of the Year.
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