Virat Kohli is the next best thing in Indian cricket: Ayaz Memon

The legend of Viru Sehwag got a fillip after his buccaneering century against Bangladesh the other night, but young Virat Kohli may have provided the first chapter to an interesting new story in Indian cricket too with his sparkling World Cup debut

Virat Kohli is the next best thing in Indian cricket: Ayaz Memon

Not just bowlers, but also his batting partners usually pale into insignificance when Sehwag is on song, but I found Kohli's knock compelling ufffd for the 100 runs, of course, but also for the quality of his strokes and his superb temperament. He didn't try to outdo Sehwag, but was not willing to be relegated to an also-ran either.

Only 22...
In short, it was a masterly knock by someone only 22. I was reminded of a young Martin Crowe whom I had seen in the 1983 World Cup as a young rising star. Crowe was taller, hence perhaps more stylish. But Kohli has the same self-assurance that the great New Zealand batsman had at a similar age.

Kohli's exceptional form over the past 12 months suggests that he has come of age. The promise he held out as an under-19 player (he was also captain) is being actualised through a plethora of centuries and high scores that have come against all opposition, at home and away.

There is a rhythm and texture to Kohli's batting that bespeaks high pedigree. He is technically sound, but in a New Age kind of way; where aggression and desire to dominate precedes the need to merely survive, which was the bane of Indian cricket not too long back.

Fine timing
He loves playing shots, and this finds wonderful expression in his vast repertoire, especially in flowing drives on either side in front of the wicket. His footwork is decisive because he is a very good judge of length. Add to this a fine sense of timing and the ability to pick gaps, and you have a batsman out of the top drawer.

At 22, he is looking like the next big thing in Indian cricket, having overcome the pitfalls of instant stardom and smoothened out the rough edges to his batting in double quick time. Tendulkar, Kumble, Dravid, Laxman, Ganguly, Sehwag ufffd it is argued ufffd never faced such issues, so why should young players today?

But the cultural ethos of Indian cricket is in a state of churn as its finances undergo rapid change, and this will be reflected in the attitudes and aspirations of players too. Importantly, Kohli appears to have made the choice that cricket precedes everything else.

Such has been the impact that he is now amongst the certainties in the team ufffd ahead not just of Suresh Raina, but also perhaps Yuvraj Singh. Indeed, he is knocking hard on the doors of Test cricket too, and unless he fares really poorly in the remainder of the World Cup and the IPL, I can't see him being omitted from the squad which tours England this summer.

It's true that India needs to look at youth as buffer as Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar wind up their careers. But Kohli brings a touch of class that should be welcome any time.

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