Coolidge (Antigua), Aug 19: As India captain, Virat Kohli completed 11 years in international cricket and the Delhi cricketer says he couldn't have asked for more and thanked almighty for blessing him. Kohli is acknowledged by the best in the business and feted across the globe for his consistency.
Kohli, whose international career began in 2008, took to social media to share his emotions.
"From starting as a teenager on the same day in 2008 to reflecting on the journey 11 years after, I couldn't have dreamt of the blessings God has showered me with. May you all get the strength and power to follow your dreams and always follow the right path. #forevergrateful," Kohli posted on his twitter handle with a couple of pictures depicting his journey.
The first picture was from his debut international game in Sri Lanka and the latest one from his hotel room in Antigua. India are currently touring the West Indies and are set to start the Test engagements on August 22 in Antigua after winning both the T20 and ODI leg.
From starting as a teenager on the same day in 2008 to reflecting on the journey 11 years after, I couldn't have dreamt of the blessings God has showered me with. May you all get the strength and power to follow your dreams and always follow the right path. 🇮🇳🙏😇#forevergrateful pic.twitter.com/sTZ7tKEoMz
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 19, 2019
From a chubby precocious teenager, who admittedly went astray for a brief period in the razzmatazz of Indian cricket, the Kohli of 2019 is an epitome of commitment and sincerity towards his craft. Kohli slammed his 43rd ODI hundred in the third ODI against the West Indies at Port of Spain that helped India win the series 2-0.
In his journey of 11 years in international cricket, Kohli has slammed 68 international hundreds and more than 20000 international runs.
The 30-year-old became the only batsman in the history of cricket to score 20000 international runs in a decade (2009-2019). On the list of most international runs scored in a decade, Kohli is followed by Ricky Ponting (18,962 runs), Jacques Kallis (16,777 runs), Mahela Jayawardene (16,304 runs), Kumar Sangakkara (15,999 runs), Sachin Tendulkar (15,962 runs), Rahul Dravid (15,853 runs) and Hashim Amla (15,185 runs).
All this, before he has even turned 31 and the Indian skipper seems far from finished with all the existing batting records under imminent threat.
Fans also took to Twitter to hail the cricketer on his stellar international career and hailed the Indian captain as an inspiration for many.
ACROSS FORMAT'S.......!!
— Shreenivas Pawar (@shree_Pawar18) August 19, 2019
1 MAN
11 YEARS
386 MATCHES
426 INNINGS
20502 RUNS
64 NOTOUTS
243 HIGHEST
56.63 AVERAGE
25652 BALL FACED
2047 4s
193 6s
95 50s
68 100s
17 140s
13 150s
6 200s
53 MOM AWARDS
16 MOS AWARDS
228 CATCHES AS FIELDER
99 WINS AS CAPTAIN
11 YEARS OF #VIRATISM.. https://t.co/SHUu34PkyQ
I followed the journey of this kid and now he's my biggest inspiration... I love you #KingKohli. You're the best in the world.#11YearsOfViratKohli#11YearsOFViratism https://t.co/KqB1QEuF5V
— Ram Choudhary 🇮🇳 (@ImRam_107) August 19, 2019
No one can be better role model than you. exceptional talent and hard work
— Raj Sikerwar (@rajsikerwar) August 19, 2019
We are lucky to have you. Please continue this for another decade. https://t.co/haLQYswpdu
@imVkohli - You are epitome of hard work and constant dedication🙏🙏 https://t.co/ENd4gqmp5D
— Nikhil Agrawal (@Nikhil_Agrwl) August 19, 2019
Its treat to watch you bat. Wishing you all the success. Keep inspiring us. @imVkohli#bestintheworld https://t.co/K57tVJczNJ
— Uday Patil (@udaypatil81) August 19, 2019
@imVkohli
— kishore rajapantula (@kishorecae10) August 19, 2019
The way you transformed yourself is a great lesson for all youngsters in India..
Having a dream is not wrong but to live to that dream is more difficult. https://t.co/WRVrH9DijE
(With PTI inputs)