More often than not, we tend to form conclusions from the perceptions that we have about people. This to some extent, is based on the facts but many times we miss out on some details. These details can help us to judge the person, more correctly. The focus of today in this feature is the reasons for the success of Virat Kohli, the man who is considered one of the finest batsmen in the present generation. We will try to analyze the reasons for the success of Virat Kohli.
Virat Kohli, The cricketing genius
Notwithstanding the controversies that surround this person, be the aggressiveness that he exhibited on the field, or not at times, behaving as a gentleman cricketer as he is expected to be or the kind of his show of behaviour, in front of the crowds.
But, no one can argue the fact that Virat Kohli is one of the most influential cricketers in India which has brought our country not only medals but respect too
Success comes the hard way
We can talk endlessly about his cricketing feats on the ground but here we are more focused on his early life, his struggles, his mental approach, and other traits that helped Virat into what he is today. We won’t go into the statistics much, as they are available everywhere but will focus on his initial life and his struggles. We will ultimately try to find out the reasons for the success of Virat Kohli
He appears to us as a man who has achieved a lot in his life and that too at a young age, but there are a lot of aspects about his life that no one bothers to look into.
No doubt, he is successful, but success never comes easy to any person, however lucky or intelligent he or she is. One has to earn it at some point or the other in one’s life. In Virat’s case, too, success was earned after much struggle in life and therefore, we will find out the reasons for the success of Virat Kohli in this feature.
Birth and Childhood of Virat Kohli
The childhood of Virat Kohli has been like that of any ordinary Indian child. He was born on the 5th of November, 1988 in Delhi at Uttam Nagar, a middle-class locality in the west of Delhi. Thus, Virat Kohli’s age, as of now, in the year 2022 is 34 years. His father Lt. Mr Prem Kohli was a criminal lawyer practising in Delhi and his mother Mrs Saroj Kohli is a housewife. Being a Hindu family originally from Punjab, his grandparents had to migrate from Pakistan during the partition days and during the division of the country.
Chiku, as he was fondly called by all was an alert and active baby and didn’t like to stay at a place for too long at it would bore him. Virat is known to be very active since childhood and shares a great bond with his siblings, his elder sister Bhavna and his elder brother Vikas. He is the youngest child and is more pampered and loved than his other siblings.
Early childhood and entry into the cricketing world
Virat is said to have taken a bat in his hand when he was only 3 years old and asked his father to bowl at him in his own gestures. So, from a very early age, he developed a liking for cricket. This liking turned out to be a talent and he started to play the game seriously and consistently during his growing-up days.
However, at the same time, he was equally good at his studies as well and didn’t let cricket come in between his studies. He studied at Vishal Bharti Public School near his area of residence.
Observing his talent and bating skills, his father admitted him to the West Delhi Cricket Academy after consulting with his neighbours who were the witnesses to his game. His father was convinced that he should not waste such a talent in gully cricket. Therefore, he thought of getting him enrolled in a good professional coaching Institute.
Beginning of a true professional
Luckily, for him, the above-mentioned coaching centre had just begun to operate near the residence. He was just nine years old when he was selected by the admin of the Training Institute.
It goes on to prove that his practice was up to the mark which ultimately impressed the coaches and the admin to select him. He started to work hard and applied whatever he learned there
As per his coach, Mr Raj Kumar Sharma, Virat had to be literally forced to go home after the practice sessions were over as he would continue to play and practice. He used to play with boys who were older than him and gave them a tough time at that.
As per his coach “Once as a young boy of 9 years old, he got hit on the chest while playing with Under-15 Boys. Being worried about him, the next day his mother came to the ground to meet the coach. She requested that he should be allowed to play with the boys of his age only. But to everyone’s surprise, Virat insisted on playing with the senior boys only.”
His argument to play with the seniors was that since the kids of his age can’t get him out while batting, he needs to play with seniors. This as per him will continuously improve his game and face tougher competition which actually helped him later on.
In fact, his coach once told the media that he was always ready to bat any place he was asked to play. So, team spirit was always there in him.
Entry into the Indian Cricketing team
As he continued his prowess with cricket, he was able to play for the Delhi Under-15 team in 2002. Here, he scored the highest runs and became the leading run-getter in the Poly Umrigar Trophy Tournament that year. He was made the captain of the team the next year.
He was selected for the Delhi Under-17 team for Vijay Merchant Trophy. His performance was just improving with time. He scored two hundreds, in the overall score of 470 runs at an average of 117.50. After that, the consecutive year saw him lift the Vijay Merchant Trophy for Delhi in 2004-05.
Continuing his great run and consistent performances with the bat, he earned himself a place in the Under-19 Indian team squad for the England tour in 2006. Here too, he averaged 105 in the ODI series which saw India winning the series.
Later on, again he played very elegantly against the team of Pakistan in the Under-19 squad that year. Subsequently, India won the Under-19 cricket World Cup in Malaysia under his captaincy, which made him a superstar after that.
Subsequently, India won the Under-19 cricket World Cup in Malaysia under his captaincy, which made him a superstar after that. Later on, he was approached by many cricket leagues to play in IPL (Indian Premier League). Ultimately, he chose Royal Challengers Bengaluru to start with. In short, this was the beginning of his great cricketing career, regarding which, which rest is history.
Tough Times and Virat Kohli’s Reactions
It is not that Virat Kohli had all things going his way all the time. He had to face very tough times in his life too. Some incidents could literally have him broken down and he started to look for something else. But it is the grit and the faith which keep a focused man going on.
In 2006, while playing a four-day Ranji Trophy Match against Karnataka, he was batting and was not out on 40. At the end of the day’s play, had to bat the other day to continue from where he had left. But his father was already ill and had a massive stroke. As a consequence of this, he passed away in the night.
Normally, the situation demanded that he stay at home. He should have been with his family for the last rites of his father. But, as a true professional, he informed his coach that he would be joining the next day and continue from where he had left.
He went on to play a great knock of 90 runs that day and won the match for his team. He went home only after that and joined his family for the rituals. This incident, as per him, made him much more focused and tough. His sole aim now was to be in the India National Team and represent India. This was the dream of his father for him. This made him tougher in life which is one of the reasons for the success of Virat Kohli today.
Selection in the Indian ODI team
Kohli, whose dream run continued, was selected for the ODI squad in 2008. This ensured that he got selected for the team against Sri Lanka. But unfortunately, got out cheaply scoring only 12 runs. This could have a negative effect on Kohli, who all these years was preparing to be in the National team.
Moreover, this performance could have landed him in trouble and deprived him of any further chances to be in the team. But he didn’t lose hope and went on to score his 1st 50 in the 4th match. This boosted his confidence further. From then onwards, everything is history. He went on to be the captain in all the forms of cricket after that.
Superstar status in the Cricket world
If accolades, money and fame are a measure of one’s success, then the below figures will define it for him.
- Virat Kohli has a massive fan following of 55 million on Instagram, a social media site.
- The dashing batsman charges a whooping sum of 1 crore and 55 Lakh for a single official post on Instagram.
- He is the brand ambassador of Audi cars, Tissot watches, Manyavar Celebration wear brand, Boost energy drink, American Tourister Luggage company, Colgate-Palmolive, Phillips India, etc., etc.
- MRF tyre brand pays him Rs.12 crores per year for displaying their logo on his bat.
- He has signed a Rs.110 crore deal with Puma, the leading shoe brand.
- Virat co-owns Wrogn the clothing and accessories fashion brand.
- He has invested Rs.90 crores in ‘Chisel’ a chain of gyms and fitness centers.
- The net worth of Virat Kohli is estimated to be about $115 Million (Rs 892 Crores in 2022).
- Virat Kohli ranks 1st in the list of the highest-paid cricketers.
The list is endless, but the point here is not to explain all the names and brands he endorses. The main thrust is on the number of accomplishments he has in his name. The feats that he has achieved at a young age only define the kind of man he is. But the question is: what makes him the most adored and successful person in India? Definity, there are some lessons and inspirations to take from his life.
Reasons for Virat Kohli’s success story
Some of the main reasons which helped Virat Kohli to reach the kind of heights where he is today are:
- Virat is a determined person and tries hard to achieve whatever task he sets for himself.
- He is a disciplined man and sticks to his schedule of gym and exercise sessions.
- As a true professional, he sacrificed those things which were detrimental to his success like sweets and non-veg.
- He lays utmost importance on fitness and his body. He makes sure that he spends a sizeable amount of time in the gym in order to remain fit. This is very important for his best performance in cricket. One can say, one of the main reasons for the success of Virat Kohli.
- He makes sure to sleep enough for at least 7 hours to concentrate on the game. This helps him to focus on the game without getting tired on the field. The schedule he always adheres to, whether in training or during matches.
- He fulfilled the dream of his father who wanted him to get into the Indian Cricket team. He also made sure to remain at the top continuously. This was only possible through his indebtedness, love and gratitude towards his father.
- He focused only on his goal and didn’t falter midway after achieving a little success.
- As per Virat, his inspiration is Sachin Tendulkar, another legend of cricket. This shows that one should learn from others and be keen to improvise oneself.
The best learning from the Success of Virat Kohli is that there is no compromise on hard work, discipline, determination & love for one’s profession which can take you to great heights.
