From reluctant hero to outright villain

Virat Kohli

Outside India, Virat Kohli holds the bitter-sweet honour of probably being the most admired and disliked contemporary cricketer. Without doubt, this is the case in Australia; we never expected David Warner to be supplanted for this dubious honour.

For the first part of his career, the negative vibes directed at Kohli were indeed a backhanded compliment. Australians admired his genius and his refusal to back down from a fight, a grudging concession that he was almost a true-blue Aussie (in an ultimate symbol of arrogance, is this meant to be the ultimate compliment?).

Like Kohli cares! If there's one thing that defines the man, he is insouciant to protocol or what others think of him. History and tradition count for very little - it probably explains why he has such an extraordinary record in run-chases.

Rewriting history

For him, history is merely something to be re-written and for most of his career, cricket fans the world over have been thrilled by a man whose self-belief has not only galvanised himself, but has allowed Team India to conquer new territories away from Indian shores.

Like all high tides, there comes a point when the waterlines recedes. In recent years, Kohli has been transformed from reluctant hero to outright villain. Not all of it is a criticism - jealousy can be a powerful current, but Kohli's reluctance to grow older with grace has now got to the point where his legacy risks being tarnished by those flashing eyes and hot temper.

For those who don't worship India's demi-gods, Kohli is now becoming the spoilt brat or the grumpy old man that everyone loves to hate. And India will be carried by that current too.

Kohli might view that as a badge of honour. Which might explain his refusal to back down. I dare not speak for Indians, but for the rest of the world, the events of Cape Town have cemented Kohli (and his ‘yes men') as the most unloved team.

Where all the neutrals barrack for NZ, India are now at the opposite end of that scale. Table Mountain's brooding presence cast a shadow on Australia too in 2018 (with a bit of help from SuperSport cameras and some sandpaper!).

An all-time great

His resignation from the captaincy represents a huge opportunity for him to rebuild his brand before he bows out of the game. An all-time great, make no mistake about that.

He deserves better than to be remembered for his surliness and gracelessness. As an artist, as a competitor, as a fiercely proud captain, he has done so much for India and for the game.

The world owes him more than the bitter after-taste that comes with a vintage wine that has gone sour. He has a few years left to remind us all that we will never see another Virat Kohli again. We should be mourning him, not moaning about him!

The writer is a Brisbane-based former first-class cricketer