'Benchmark for his Generation': Players and Coaches Pay Tributes to Virat Kohli on 35th Birthday

Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli turns 35 years old today and has already cemented his legacy as one of the finest players to ever wield the willow. The numbers the maverick batsman has notched up speak for themselves as he stands only behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in terms of international runs scored and tons.

And on his birthday, the 5th of November, coaches and players who have worked with the classy batsman have lauded the batsman citing the qualities that make him an all-time great.

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Team India head coach Rahul Dravid hailed him as a legend of the 50-over format.

“Virat’s a legend of the game, especially in this format of the game. I think all formats of the game, but particularly this one (50-over), I think his performance and the way he finishes games,” Dravid said.

Dravid, known fondly as ‘The Wall’ shed light on the consistency Kohli has maintained throughout his career and the standards he has managed to uphold during his time at the very top as a precedent for up and coming players to look up to.

“The standard of his performance over the years has probably set a ‘: of cricketers,” the Indian team head coach added.

Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has shared the dressing room with Kohli for a prolonged period now, expressed that the batsman has changed the fabric of the game in the nation and how the world perceives Indian cricket as a whole.

“He has changed the DNA of thinking around Indian cricket. How one batsman needs to perceive and prepare for the game,” said the spinner.

Young batting sensation and Indian opener Shubman Gill, who has been touted as the ‘Prince’ of Indian cricket hailed the legendary batsman and said that Kohli’s hunger for the game is unparalleled.

“His hunger and passion for the game are unparalleled. I have not seen anyone as hungry as Virat Kohli,” Gill opined.

Kohli brought up his 49th ODI century against South Africa in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023 to mark his birthday and helped India put up a dominant total against the Proteas in a top-of-the-table clash at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.