People are calling Aakash Chopra “the comeback king.” Why? Because Virat Kohli is once again dazzling fans with his impressive run-scoring. This is after many thought his career was over.
Starting his Test cricket career in 2011 against West Indies, Virat Kohli didn’t shine at first. His initial trip to England in 2014 was rough, too. But then, he hit a stride of brilliance. For a while, his bat was on fire. But during the COVID-19 phase, his performance dipped. Luckily, just before the 2022 T20 World Cup, he bounced back to his top form.
Chopra showcased a clip on YouTube. In it, he highlighted Virat Kohli’s track record, principally his performance in run chases. He noted Kohli’s bold leadership and steadfastness to the Royal Challengers Bangalore. This was seen as his key qualities. Chopra commended Kohli, a celebrated batsman of our times, for his knack to rebound. He further clarified:
“Last but not the least, the comeback king. You go up but then fall. Everyone has to fall but the important thing is how many times someone can climb back again. He fell once in 2011-12 but then he stood up. After that, he reigned for eight to ten years. There wasn’t a blip at all.”
“That was one blip after which he probably decided – ‘Never again’. He played with the commitment continuously but then it came again during COVID, when he wasn’t scoring runs. He hadn’t scored a century for a long time. He missed quite a few matches and many people had written him off.”
Aakash Chopra
Following his 136-run score in the pink-ball Test match against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens in November 2019, Virat Kohli went nearly three years without scoring an international century across all forms of cricket. In all three of the Test cricket years between 2020 and 2022, he averaged less than thirty.
“He is back again” – Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli’s comeback to the Fab 4
Virat Kohli, Aakash Chopra says, made cricket experts including him eat their words. He did this by securing his position back in the Fab Four.
“Yours truly also said that he is no longer part of the Fab 4. He is now, by the way. It was about the runs at that time, in that period of two years, but he is back again. Steve Smith has fallen away. Kane Williamson is also going 50-50 but this guy is still there. He was there then also and has returned now.”
Aakash Chopra
The former cricket player turned pundit continued, saying that it was the cherry on top when Kohli won Player of the Tournament in the 2023 ODI World Cup. He said:
“The way he has made a comeback has made the story even more beautiful. It seemed like things were done and dusted and you came and played a World Cup, and became the Player of the Tournament. You reinvented the wheel once again and reignited that passion.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra noted that comebacks are never easy. He asserted that Kohli’s last-minute comeback has been extraordinary.