IND vs SL: When Virat Kohli Made His Entry In International Cricket, He Had A Chubby Face And Was A Tad Overweight – Saba Karim

Updated - 03 Mar 2022, 03:40 PM

Photo Credit: (AP)

Table of Contents

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Saba Karim has said that the senior Indian batter Virat Kohli was overweight and had a chubby face when he entered the international cricket arena. However, Karim believes that Kohli made changes in his lifestyle and made his “longevity spectacular”.

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli will be playing his 100th match in the purest format of the game in the first Test match of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka National Cricket Team at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh, from Friday, March 4.

Speaking on the YouTube channel Khelneeti, Saba Karim said that despite not scoring centuries Kohli has not struggled and has scored good runs for the team. He was hoping that Kohli’s lean patch, according to his standards, will go away very soon.

“It is taking time (for the 71st international hundred) but whenever Kohli has batted it hasn’t looked like he has struggled or is finding it difficult to score runs.

“His 30s, 40s and 50s have always shown that he is a complete player. So we can hope that this so-called lean phase by his standards due to the benchmark that he has set will go away soon,” he asserted.

“When he made his entry in international cricket, he had a chubby face and was a tad overweight according to me. But this is what makes a player great when there is an ambition to represent India and contribute like a match-winner, there is a lot to learn.

“The way Virat changed his lifestyle has what made his longevity spectacular and he has been such an effective player.”

Virat Kohli started the five-bowler theory – Saba Karim

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman believes that Kohli had started a new era of fast bowlers during his tenure as Test captain. Karim added that Kohli knew the fact that four-five wicket-taking pacers are needed in a team to win overseas games. He elaborated:

“Virat Kohli in a way started a new era of pace bowlers. He realized that if they had to win away from home, it was important to have four-five wicket-taking pacers.

“He also started the five-bowler theory because he thought that in overseas conditions, you need to rotate the five bowlers that will help you take 20 wickets.”

Also Read: IND vs SL: What Could Be A Better Opportunity Than 100th Test? – Wasim Jaffer Hopeful Of Seeing Virat Kohli’s 71st Hundred

Get All Cricket match prediction and fantasy Tips – CLICK HERE