Watch: Virat Kohli takes the centre stage at the Laureus World Sports Awards' epic moments of 2023

Star Indian batter and former India captain Virat Kohli was showcased in the Epic sporting moments of the calendar year 2023 at the Laureus World Sports Awards 2024.

The award ceremony, which is held annually to recognize the efforts of sportspersons in a year, was held in the Spanish capital of Madrid yesterday. Therein, the moment of Kohli smashing Sachin Tendulkar's record to score his 50th ODI century in Wankhede last year was among the epic moments of 2023. 

There is not a hint of doubt about the class and ability of Virat Kohli. The right-hand batsman is not just famous for his cricketing antics but he is also renowned for his unmatched dedication, sheer belief in his skills, and his commitment towards his fitness.

Kohli's impact on the game of cricket is similar to that of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni and Ricky Ponting. Some also consider him as a trendsetter as the wave of fitness in cricket became mainstream after Kohli brought it into the Indian dressing room. 

Unlike the previous era where cricketers had most of their focus on technique and tactics, the emphasis is now on the fitness levels first and then on the technical side of the game.

And all of this, at least in India, is because of Virat Kohli and the transformation that he underwent in 2013 to become class apart from other batsmen in the world. His inclusion in the top sporting moments of last year, that too, in the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony is a huge achievement in itself. 

Virat Kohli displayed in Laureus World Sports Awards

Virat Kohli's 50th ODI TON got featured in Laureus Epic Moments of 2024. pic.twitter.com/59TapJ9CNE

— Gaurav (@Melbourne__82) April 23, 2024

On 15th November 2023 when India were taking on Kane Williamson's New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final at the Wankhede stadium, Virat Kohli had engraved his name on the history books yet again.

In a fixture where India had struggled to get past in the 2019 WC edition under his captaincy, it was Kohli, who had laid the foundation for the Men in Blue's victory. 

While India was batting first after winning the toss, Virat Kohli smashed his record-breaking 50th ODI century in front of the one who held the record for most ODI centuries previously.

Sachin Tendulkar was there at the iconic Wankhede stadium to witness the modern-day great break his 49-ton record as Kohli smashed 117 off 113 balls which eventually helped India post 398 as the target. 

New Zealand had failed to chase down the total all because of Mohammed Shami's raging 7/57. And that moment when Kohli reached to his 50th ODI ton was displayed at the Laureus World Sports Awards for 2023 in Madrid.  

Virat Kohli out of contention to win IPL 2024 

Meanwhile, it seems as if Virat Kohli will have to wait for another year to try and win the IPL with his beloved Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who are currently at the bottom.

With their 7th loss of the season against Mumbai Indians last Sunday, RCB remains in the last spot with just 2 points to their name. If they want to keep their hopes alive, then the only option for them is to win all of their upcoming games and hope for other results to fall in their favor.