NEW DELHI: Legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara expressed high praise for Indian batter Virat Kohli, citing him as an example of commitment and dedication.
Speaking at the Tiger Pataudi Memorial Lecture in Kolkata, Lara revealed that if his son were to pursue any sport, he would use Kohli's qualities to inspire him.
Kohli's outstanding performances during the recently-concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 caught Lara's attention. Despite India falling short in the final against Australia, Kohli's batting prowess left a lasting impression.
"I have a son and I can tell you that if my son has to play any sport, I will be using Kohli's commitment and dedication to not just add to his strength, but whatever it takes to become a Number one sportsman," Lara said, commending Kohli's commitment and dedication.
The West Indies legend emphasised that while some may downplay Kohli's contributions due to India's team result, individual success is a crucial aspect of team sports.
"First of all, for Virat Kohli, I know a lot of people will say or have already said that Kohli's performance does not matter as India did not win the World Cup. Team sport is about winning and you, as an individual player, have to have that as your No.1 target. But a subsidiary of team success is individual success, and this is what Kohli has given India match after match throughout the World Cup," Lara said.
Lara acknowledged Kohli's impact on the game, noting how he has transformed the approach to preparation and discipline in cricket.
Indian captains' record in ODI finals since 1990
"What impresses me most about Kohli is his true legacy, for he has changed the face of cricket and how you prepare for the game. The discipline that he has stands out, always," Lara said.
Kohli emerged as the leading run-scorer in the World Cup 2023, amassing 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62. His remarkable achievements included becoming the first batter to hit 50 ODI centuries, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most runs in a single edition of the World Cup, and registering the most fifty-plus scores in a single World Cup.
In Lara's eyes, Kohli's impact extends beyond statistics, and his commitment to excellence sets him apart as a role model for aspiring athletes. Kohli's dedication to his craft continues to inspire admiration from cricket legends and fans alike.
(With inputs from ANI)The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less