On November 5, Virat Kohli, who is renowned for his aggressiveness, passion, skill, and unwavering desire, turns 36. A quality that very few cricket players worldwide can claim, his unquenchable desire for achievement has been essential to his cricketing career. His will to excel in his sport has elevated him to a level that many contemporary cricket players can only aspire to.

When he led the U-19 squad to a World Cup victory in 2008, the cricket player from Delhi made his debut as a leader. It was just the beginning of many things to come. It spoke a lot about where he was thought to belong that he made his senior international debut just a year after leading India to a U-19 World Cup championship.

The worldwide stage was a natural fit for him. His commitment was evident in his drive to excel and surpass himself each time he batted, setting new standards each time.

Kohli’s mental toughness is what distinguishes him from the current generation of cricket players. He has remained unmoved by criticism, correctly used his aggressiveness to maximize outcomes, particularly when his aggression went awry in the early years of his international career, and was able to respond to critics—and more crucially, to himself—when difficult issues were posed.

Kohli’s self-examination serves as a lesson in self-management. He is constantly willing to relearn and learn again after analyzing his game, opponents, and blunders. He is very flexible, and his dedication highlights his desire to excel in what he does.

Everyone was drawn to his natural flare, and his transformation from a brazen young player to a calm leader shows how much he has changed as a player and—more importantly—has affected a whole team and a country.

He has amassed over 70 international hundreds and is often likened to the best athletes in the world, including Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, and Donald Bradman.

Every time he takes the field, Kohli sets a very high standard and tries to surpass it. Following MS Dhoni’s retirement, Kohli established an accountable culture among the Indian squad. He urged each member of the team to focus on their own objectives while working together to achieve the team’s ultimate aim of winning and becoming the greatest in the world.

Kohli has made a lasting impression in international cricket, whether it is by defeating South Africa, breaking through the Australian stronghold in Australia, or winning in England.

He was dubbed a “chase master” for his ability to take on the finest bowling attack, and he is among the greatest finishers in the history of the game because of his ability to execute under pressure, such as during the T2o World Cup victory against Pakistan in Australia.

With elegance, Kohli assumed Tendulkar’s responsibility for the country’s aspirations and proceeded to dominate the sport.

The icing on the cake was winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at the end of his T20 career, which Kohli earned, particularly in a format he controlled like it was his own.

Although still a powerful force in Test cricket, Kohli’s skill has somewhat waned. Kohli’s Test match career has taken a turn for the worst, going from almost hitting 60 at one stage to barely managing to surpass single-digit scores. One hopes that the setback is just transitory in the story of a successful career.

But, considering the current state of Indian Test cricket, a player who has set almost every record and won every award the sport has to offer may simply not be eligible for the World Test Championship trophy. On this one occasion alone, one would expect that Kohli would disprove his detractors, as he had done throughout his career when many dismissed him.

Cheers to Virat Kohli’s birthday! Both on and off the field, there is always hope for many more years of success and motivation.