“One must recognize his immense ability and undeniable talent. He is a truly exceptional player. There’s no need for him to prove anything to anyone, whether it’s me or the media.”
IMAGE: Virat Kohli celebrated a major milestone by posting his 30th Test century during the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar series opener against Australia in Perth on Sunday. With his remarkable seventh ton, he surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record of six centuries, becoming the Indian batter with the most hundreds scored on Australian soil. Photograph: BCCI/X
The iconic Kapil Dev has made a strong statement, asserting that Virat Kohli has nothing to prove; his contributions to cricket are simply unparalleled.
Dev’s comments came shortly after India’s batting star Kohli achieved his impressive 30th Test hundred in the first match of the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia in Perth, where he displayed his class.
Kohli (100 not out) and the emerging Yashasvi Jaiswal (161) were a formidable duo, rewriting the record books as they relentlessly attacked the Australian bowling lineup on the third day of the Test, leading India to a commanding 533-run advantage.
Further solidifying his legacy, Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record (6) as he became the Indian player with the highest number of centuries in Australia, claiming his seventh hundred during this remarkable innings.
“Critics will always criticize. It’s expected that the media will comment if a prominent player takes time to regain form,” Kapil stated at the Vishwa Samudra Golden Eagle Golf Championship, shedding light on the pressures athletes face.
“One has to see his ability and talent. He’s a big, big player. He doesn’t have to prove anybody, prove me or prove (it to the) media.”
“His contributions to cricket are genuinely remarkable. We should commend him regardless of how many runs he scores; the impact he’s made on the game is simply unparalleled,” Kapil emphasized, praising Kohli’s enduring influence.
Kapil expressed joy over the blend of promising young talent and experienced players stepping up to the plate in Indian cricket.
“I don’t believe in comparisons. What I wish to see is our youngsters emerging and performing admirably. New records will always be established. However, it’s crucial for the young talent to rise to the occasion, represent the country, and excel,” he noted, focusing on the upcoming generation.
“Comparing players is unfair; they compete under different conditions and eras. Today’s youth is far more intelligent, more ruthless, and significantly more confident,” he explained, particularly highlighting the potential in players like Jaiswal.
According to the 1983 World Cup-winning captain, Indian cricket is currently thriving, with emerging stars like Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy making promising debuts.
“It’s truly wonderful to witness young players coming forward and expressing their skills. Indian cricket is indeed in a good place right now,”
he remarked positively.
IMAGE: Jasprit Bumrah showcased his extraordinary talent, leading India’s charge to a 46-run lead by delivering an outstanding performance that saw him take 5 wickets for just 30 runs, as Australia crumbled to a mere 104 in their first innings of the initial Test in Perth. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
Kapil also showered praise on Jasprit Bumrah for his leadership during the Perth Test and emphasized that the Indian team has outperformed expectations thus far.
Bumrah’s role as a stand-in captain was pivotal as he guided the team towards a crucial 46-run lead in the first innings, collecting 5 wickets for just 30 runs, which amounted to Australia being dismissed for a mere 104 runs.
Additionally, Bumrah’s remarkable performance marked his 11th five-wicket haul in Test cricket and his seventh in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia), bringing him level with Kapil in terms of the most five-wicket hauls in these cricketing regions.
“A special acknowledgment goes to Bumrah, as it’s not common for bowlers to be appointed as captains, and seeing him lead with such excellence is truly gratifying,” he stated.
He commended Bumrah for revitalizing the conversation around fast bowling in India.
“His achievements speak volumes about his capabilities. He stands tall as the world’s leading bowler; what more do we need?”
“I never anticipated that fast bowlers would receive such recognition in India, but it’s happening now, and I couldn’t be prouder,”
he concluded.
Kapil pointed out that India’s performance came as a pleasant surprise, given the team had suffered a humiliating 0-3 defeat against New Zealand at home earlier.
“The team is demonstrating remarkable form. They are poised to secure the first Test, and maintaining a positive outlook is vital,”
he encouraged.
“The unexpected resurgence of the team after the New Zealand series is impressive. While it’s infuriating when they underperform, that feeling of admiration returns when they excel,”
he added, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster of following cricket.
“This recognition should extend to all players, as cricket is a team sport. Today one player has excelled, and tomorrow it might be someone else stepping up for the team,”
he concluded with a touch of optimism.
What qualities does Kapil Dev believe make Virat Kohli an exceptional cricketer, especially after reaching his 30th Test century?
**Interview with Kapil Dev on Virat Kohli’s Remarkable Achievement**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Kapil. You’ve made an impactful statement regarding Virat Kohli’s recent achievement of scoring his 30th Test century. Can you elaborate on what makes Kohli an exceptional player in your eyes?
**Kapil Dev:** Absolutely, it’s a pleasure to be here. Virat’s immense ability and undeniable talent speak for themselves. He is a truly exceptional player, and I firmly believe there is no need for him to prove anything to anyone, whether it’s to me or the media. His performance on the field is enough.
**Interviewer:** Kohli has now surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most Test centuries by an Indian in Australia. What does this milestone signify for Indian cricket?
**Kapil Dev:** This milestone is significant as it highlights his consistency and skill. Virat’s determination to excel under pressure is remarkable. He’s created a legacy for himself, and surpassing Tendulkar is no small feat. It sets a benchmark for future Indian cricketers.
**Interviewer:** Following his achievement, you mentioned the pressures athletes face from critics. Why do you think there’s such a high expectation on players like Kohli?
**Kapil Dev:** Critics will always criticize. It’s part of being a high-profile player. When someone as talented as Kohli takes time to regain form, the media is quick to comment. However, one must focus on his abilities. He’s a big player, and I admire his resilience in facing these challenges.
**Interviewer:** You also spoke about the upcoming generation of cricket players. What are your thoughts on the current young talent in Indian cricket, like Yashasvi Jaiswal?
**Kapil Dev:** I’m incredibly excited about the young players emerging today. Jaiswal, among others, shows great promise. They’re intelligent, confident, and ready to take on challenges. This blends well with seasoned players, making Indian cricket thrive right now.
**Interviewer:** how do you see the future of Indian cricket with the mix of experienced stars and fresh talent?
**Kapil Dev:** The future looks bright. Indian cricket is in a good place. It’s wonderful to watch young talents step up and showcase their skills. I have no doubt that they will continue to break records and make significant contributions to our cricketing legacy.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Kapil, for sharing your insights on Virat Kohli and the future of Indian cricket.
**Kapil Dev:** Thank you! It’s always great to talk about the game we love.