'King, Take Back Your Empire!' - An Open Letter To Virat Kohli From A Heartbroken Fan

Virat Kohli after getting dismissed in Adelaide [Source: AP Photos]

February 22, 2008, it was a normal day for a 12-year-old me as I switched on the TV and was scrolling through the sports channel and my eyes stuck on something. India Under-19 was playing the World Cup match against the West Indies, and there was a chubby kid who caught my attention.

On a difficult surface at the Kinrara Oval, Kuala Lumpur, a young Virat Kohli, destined for greatness played the innings of the tournament. The West Indian lineup had some promising bowlers in Nkrumah Bonner, and Shamarh Brooks, and the talented 18-year-old Kohli took them on with ease as he reached a scintillating hundred to guide India to victory. That day, almost 17-years-ago, I became a Virat Kohli fan, something I still cherish.

In this open letter to arguably the greatest cricketer of the modern era, I won't refer to him as 'Kohli', rather, I'll call him 'Virat' as I see him as my elder brother, someone who inspires me to do well in life, someone who makes me push my limits even when I am about to give up in life.

The journey to superstardom

4 years after his heroic against the Windies, Virat, you were a prominent name in the ODI setup but you still needed that one knock to solidify yourself as the undisputed King of the modern generation. That knock came against a Lasith Malinga led Sri Lankan team in Hobart.

Kohli smashed Malinga in 2012 [Source: @on_drive2306/X.Com]

I remember I had to attend a birthday party that evening, but I forgot about it as my eyes were glued to the tv screen as you smashed Malinga for 24-runs in a single over. Never before and never after was Malinga taken apart the way you did.

You took him apart the way your idol, Sachin Tendulkar hammered the great Shane Warne during the 1998 Dessert Storm.

Once Sachin retired in 2013, you took his place at number 4 in Tests, and while you did extremely well across situations, the 2014 England tour brought your first setback. Never had I seen you so helpless the way Jimmy Anderson made you felt. However, the hallmark of a great player is that they bounce back when they are pushed on the brink, and that's exactly what you did on the next away tour of Australia, smashing 4 hundreds and going toe-to-toe against the hostile Aussie crowd.

Smashing all records for fun

From 2016-19, you were at the top of Mount Everest while everyone tried taking you down. So many tried, but they all failed as you, Virat, conquered world cricket. I remember during my college days, that when I used to leave the house, you used to occupy the crease, and when I used to come back, you still were playing, churning out runs for fun.

The title of the 'King' was rightly given to you and for the first time, I thought, okay, the 100 centuries record of Sachin Tendulkar could be broken with ease and you were the right person to achieve that feat, but perhaps I was wrong.

The downfall and the rise of the King

In 2020, two bad things happened. Covid-19 happened and along with it, your downfall started. No longer you were invincible, no longer you had the magical aura which you carried. You were criticised, your wife, Anushka was dragged into every matter, and had it been someone else, he would have crumbled, but not you, Virat.

You came out of the Ashes, and Virat Kohli 2.0 was born. The hunger for runs returned, the big innings returned, the fear factor in the bowlers' eyes returned and my Virat was back amongst the best in the business.

However, the year 2024 has brought yet another downfall. Once known as a player who plays marathon innings, Virat, now you are known as a walking wicket. This is not you, this is perhaps someone else trapped in your body.

Where is the hunger for runs? where is the zeal to succeed at the highest level? Drop this "saint" and "great-souled" personality and bring back the Delhi boy back. The one who used to take on the opposition alone.

When you were dismissed in the just concluded Adelaide Test and you walked out of the field, I realised something, that you may not have much time left on a cricket field, so please, it's a humble request, make it count, take back what's yours, take back your empire, King Virat.

From your avid fan

Anurag

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