It is ‘Delhi Hero’ Kohli’s relentless pursuit in perfecting his style and approach to the game that makes him a standout and we could see why at the ICC Academy grounds in Dubai on Sunday when his side the Royal Challengers Bangalore had net practice

Virat Kohli during practice at ICC Academy at Sports City, Dubai.- KT photo by Leslie Pableo

A March issue of ‘The Week’ magazine saw veteran sports writer Neeru Bhatia’s cover story being titled ‘The Kohli-I-noor’.

There’s no doubt that Virat Kohli is the gem of Indian cricket today, and the hottest icon in world cricket.

It is ‘Delhi Hero’ Kohli’s relentless pursuit in perfecting his style and approach to the game that makes him a standout and we could see why at the ICC Academy grounds in Dubai on Sunday when his side the Royal Challengers Bangalore had net practice.

His media manager had informed the handful of media who waited patiently for his arrival saying Kohli may perhaps not be available for a short group interview as he (Kohli) had just landed in Dubai.

We did not expect Kohli to make his appearance but hardly an hour had passed when the familiar sight of the bearded superstar appeared, walking briskly in his usual manner trying to make up for the lost time to loosen up before joining his colleagues at the nets.

We have to agree on one thing — he is where he is today thanks to the total commitment he shows in all his professional work, in and out of the field.

‘He Is Run Hungry’, ‘Unbeatable Commitment’ and many more such headlines were used in the media to highlight his Man of the Series award in the Bangladesh T20 World Cup recently.

But the most flattering piece of encouragement were the words ‘Virat Kohli Can Go Past Sachin Tendulkar’ by none other the Indian great Sunil Gavaskar who is the interim head of the BCCI – IPL 2014.