Four Instances That Prove Virat Kohli Plays The Game In The Right Spirit

Virat Kohli’s credentials as a batsman perhaps makes him the best player in the modern era. Not only as a batsman but also as a captain, Kohli always looks to lead from the front, especially during run-chases. And most often, when he takes matters into his own hands, Virat Kohli ends up achieving it too.

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However, due to his aggressive nature on the field and giving send-offs on several occasions, his sportsman spirit has come under question. But there do exist instances when the 31-year old has reinstated the belief otherwise. Like many gentleman cricketers, Kohli has also exemplified gestures towards the opposition even if they seem to have the upper hand in the game.

We take a glance at four instances when Virat Kohli proved he plays the game in the right spirit:

Gesturing the crowd to respect Steve Smith:

Virat Kohli and Steve Smith have quite the history. Aside from continuously toppling one another as the best batsmen, the pair also have got themselves involved in verbal battles. The incident in 2017 Bangalore Test was one of those instances when Smith’s action of watching the dressing room and asking whether to go for a review irked the Indian captain. However, the fraternity got to witness something special during the 2019 World Cup.

The World Cup in England was the first instance of professional cricket when Steve Smith and David Warner made their comeback after serving their ball-tampering bans for a year. And no surprise, they received plenty of flak from the crowds whenever they walked in the park.

When the Indian crowd mocked Steve Smith, who was standing on the boundary line, the opposing captain came forward and urged them not to boo and instead applaud the New South Wales batsman. India eventually beat the defending champions by 36 runs. It also ensured Kohli from the ICC the “Spirit of Cricket” award for his deeds.

When Kumar Sangakkara retired from international cricket:

In 2015, when India toured Sri Lanka for a three-Test series, it was Kumar Sangakkara’s last and the second match was effectively indeed. The leg was also Kohli’s inaugural as India’s new Test captain. In his 134th appearance, the former Sri Lankan captain could not prevent an Indian win, scoring 32 and 18 as the tourists won by 278 runs.

The victory also helped India level the two-match series. After Sangakkara’s dismissal and when the hosts came on the ground to shake hands with the Indian team, Kohli showcased utmost respect for the legend. In retrospect, Sangakkara praised Kohli too, touting him to be as best as Sir Donald Bradman.

Congratulating Shahid Afridi after he hit the winning six:

The India-Pakistan rivalry is arguably an unmatched one and regardless of the stage, the clashes are always of high intensity. And India and Pakistan have had each other’s numbers and inflicted soul-crushing defeats on many occasions. One such instance was the 2014 Asia Cup when Shahid Afridi pulled off a memorable win for his side.

India scraped to 245 in 50 overs, courtesy three half-centuries from Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, and Ravindra Jadeja. In reply, Mohammad Hafeez anchored Pakistan’s run-chase until it came down to 10 needing off the final over. Afridi smashed a six off Ravichandran Ashwin to gun down the target in 49.4 overs. Kohli, who served as the captain, was the first to congratulate Afridi for his knock of 34 from 18 deliveries.

Hailing Faf Du Plessis for his century:

When South Africa visited India for a bilateral series in 2015, both sides fought tooth and nail as eventually, the five-match rubber came down to the 5th ODI. It was the series-decider in Mumbai where the Proteas elected to bat first and got off to a rollicking start. Out of the top four, three batsmen hammered blazing centuries namely Quinton de Kock, captain Faf Du Plessis, and Ab de Villiers.

The tourists smashed an unthinkable 438, losing only four wickets. However, amid the carnage, Kohli mustered the sportsman spirit from himself and congratulated Du Plessis, who trudged off the field, facing cramping. The captain top-scored with 133 as South Africa crushed MS Dhoni’s men by 214 runs.

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