'I don't consider myself the best ever': Virat Kohli on his cricket legacy
Virat Kohli discusses his legacy and why he doesn't consider himself the best ever despite his massive records.
Indian batting icon Virat Kohli has offered a humble perspective on his standing in cricket history. Despite his astronomical statistics and dominance across all formats, the superstar stated that he does not view himself as the greatest player to ever play the game.
A humble take on greatness
Speaking ahead of the first ODI against West Indies, Kohli acknowledged that the sport has seen legendary figures across different eras. He noted that while he has achieved significant milestones, the definition of greatness often depends on the era and the specific impact a player leaves on the game.
"I do not consider myself the best ever," Kohli remarked. "Different players have existed in different times of the sport, and they have done some amazing things, but might not have accumulated those kinds of numbers, and some have numbers which are way better than mine. But I guess, apart from this, everyone's main goal eventually is to create enough impact."
The pursuit of team success
Reflecting on a career spanning nearly 19 years, Kohli emphasized that his longevity is a result of sustained motivation and a deep-seated desire to contribute to the Indian team's success. He credited his ability to perform consistently to a combination of experience, physical fitness, and game awareness.
"I have been fortunate enough to have played for so long, and of course, when you are motivated to do well over that period, you end up performing more often than not. But eventually, the end goal has always been to contribute towards the betterment of the team and take the team towards the result that we want," the batter explained.
Chasing historic milestones
As Kohli prepares for the upcoming series, he stands on the precipice of several historic achievements that would further cement his legacy:
- The 15,000 ODI Run Mark: Currently sitting on 14,941 runs, Kohli is just 59 runs away from becoming only the second player in history to reach the 15,000 ODI run milestone.
- The 100-Century Quest: With 85 international centuries to his name, the 37-year-old continues his pursuit of the elusive 100th century.
- Breaking Sachin's List-A Record: Having scored 59 List-A centuries, Kohli needs just two more to surpass Sachin Tendulkar's record of 60.
- Home Dominance: He is currently chasing Tendulkar's record of 42 centuries scored at home.
The upcoming matches offer a prime opportunity for Kohli to continue his dominance. Notably, in Thiruvananthapuram—a venue where he remains unbeaten—Kohli has previously displayed his ability to accelerate, including a spectacular 166* against Sri Lanka in 2023.