After an Indian Hindi newspaper published a critical article about star batsman Virat Kohli’s pursuit of centuries in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, it sparked an uproar on social media among the Indian cricket team’s dedicated followers and the passionate fans of Virat Kohli.
Virat Kohli’s performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup has been truly remarkable, with three half-centuries and an unbeaten 103 against Bangladesh. He came agonizingly close to scoring another century against New Zealand but fell just five runs short, displaying his determination to reach the coveted three-figure mark in Dharamshala.
The former captain of the Indian cricket team now stands at 48 ODI centuries, only one shy of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI tons. Kohli’s relentless pursuit of this milestone has led him to make some decisions that have sparked discussions among fans. Some have criticized him for prioritizing his personal century over the team’s victory, even opting to turn down easy singles.
It’s important to remember that Kohli’s quest for this record is a testament to his passion for the game and his commitment to excellence. While it might not always align with the team’s immediate objectives, it’s a part of his journey that fans and cricket enthusiasts can appreciate.
In a recent cricket match between India and England, Virat Kohli was dismissed without scoring (a duck), while Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, played an outstanding innings of 87 runs from 101 balls. This helped India reach a total of 229/9 in their allotted 50 overs. What truly stood out was Rohit Sharma’s approach; he wasn’t focused on reaching a personal century, but rather on accelerating the team’s run rate. He got out attempting to score more runs with a boundary.
Also Read: Can Quinton de Kock Break Rohit Sharma’s World Cup Record?
This selfless approach earned Rohit Sharma universal praise from all quarters, as it was perceived as a decision made for the greater good of the team, rather than pursuing personal milestones. Rohit Sharma has often been aggressive during the powerplay overs and has sometimes lost his wicket in the process, without reaching a century. He has managed to score a century only once, which was against Afghanistan, but he has consistently delivered valuable innings, such as his 86 against Pakistan and 87 against England.
An article in the Indian Hindi newspaper Dainik Jagran commended Rohit Sharma for his strategy of going for big shots early in the innings to provide momentum to the Indian team. In the same piece, Virat Kohli, on the other hand, was criticized for seeming to prioritize personal centuries over the team’s goals.
This didn’t sit down well with the Virat Kohli fans and they trended #BoycottDainikJagran on X (formerly Twitter). There were videos of several fans “allegedly” burning the newspaper as well.
Here are some reactions of the fans:
