I was surprised seeing Virat Kohli in IPL 2008, but today he has become a role model for youngsters: Kamran Akmal

With the plethora of passion and aggression he brings along himself, Virat Kohli has put himself in the list of the finest cricketers. Averaging over 50 across all formats, the Indian skipper has dominated the world of cricket with his flair. Not only this, he has instilled the importance of fitness and redefined Indian cricket, which is for everybody to see.

Leading the Indian side to the U-19 World Cup and then exuding his class in the IPL, he has turned many heads. Back then in 2008 when the young Kohli walked onto the scene, everybody had their eyes glued on him. Though RCB hasn’t yet tasted success as champions, Kohli has been the leading run-scorers of the tournament. He has mustered 6076 runs at an average of 37.98 with as many as five centuries under his belt.

Recounting the instance of watching Kohli in the 2008 IPL, senior Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal said that he wondered about what mark this youngster would make.

“I had played the first edition of the IPL. At that time, I was so surprised when I saw Virat Kohli. I used to wonder what cricket he would play at such a young age. But he has changed himself totally now, and he has become a role model for youngsters,” asserted Akmal speaking on Sawera Pasha’s YouTube channel.

Kamran Akmal backs Virat Kohli for his captaincy role

After India lost the World Test Championship finals, the talks on Virat’s captaincy were yet again highlighted. It was India’s third ICC knockout loss under Kohli and the chatter about his role surfed throughout the cricketing fraternity. Though under Kohli India has done extremely well in the last 5 years in Tests, people seemed to have shut their eyes on it after the final loss in the WTC.

Akmal, however, feels that knockout games are a matter of luck and that the Indian board and selectors should continue with Kohli as the skipper of the Indian side. “He is an amazing player, amazing captain, and no one can guarantee that if India changes the captain, they will win ICC tournaments. It is a matter of luck,” the 39-year-old wicketkeeper said.