“I vividly recall tuning in to the 2011 World Cup, eager to blend in with the excitement that surrounded everyone. Little did I realize that this mere act of conformity would pave the way for an enduring passion. Back then, my interest was superficial, fixated on the charismatic Virat Kohli. His looks held my attention more than the intricacies of the game, as I remained oblivious to its rules.
Fast forward to the present, and I find myself dedicating this post to a man who has not only transformed the face of cricket but has also left an indelible mark on the lives of countless fans, myself included. This particular anecdote is from my experience during the 2023 World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune, a testament to Kohli’s illustrious career.
The last 10 minutes of that match were a spectacle— a calculated century, the selflessness of the non-striker (Kl Rahul), the umpire’s generous yet humorous decisions, and, of course, the electrifying energy of the crowd! Spectators were not merely watching a chase master at work; they were passionately cheering every boundary and, remarkably, every run that KL denied!
In Virat Kohli’s 15-year career, this match against Bangladesh may be just another match-winning knock, but for me, as a fan, it transcended that. To witness the live action and behold one of the epic centuries in World Cup history makes me feel like the luckiest Kohli fan on the planet. No one cared about remaining balls, scores, or the winning feeling—it all boiled down to a man scoring his 48th ODI hundred.
This World Cup edition showcased not only Virat Kohli’s historic feats, breaking records set by his idol Mr. Sachin Tendulkar, but also an entire team that gave their all for the country. From Mohammed Shami rewriting bowling rulebooks to Kl Rahul and Shreyas Iyer’s remarkable comebacks, Mohammed Siraj shining with the new ball, Jasprit Bumrah silencing the world with a BOOM, and, of course, Rohit Sharma, the captain who led both literally and metaphorically!
While the trophy would have added to our Diwali cheer, I’ve learned from this team that they don’t need a trophy to be titled as CHAMPIONS. For me, and I’m sure for the entire nation, this Indian Cricket Team championed hearts and the game long before this day!
All my friends are aware, yet I’ll reiterate: I hope to meet my idol Virat Kohli at least once in my life.
Until then,
Chin up, guys. Our team had every opponent on their feet throughout the tournament, and today, unfortunately, was not just our day!”