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'A Legend Of The Game' - Dravid Hails Kohli Before World Cup Face-Off vs AFG

image-lnl81y08Virat Kohli in conversation with Rahul Dravid (X.com)

Prominent names of world cricket paid a fitting tribute to bonafide Indian batting great Virat Kohli ahead of his team's next ICC World Cup 2023 on Wednesday (October 11) against Afghanistan. Before the home town lad takes center stage at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, he was lavished with glowing words of praise from world cricket's leading individuals. 

The pack led by Team India head coach Rahul Dravid appreciated Kohli's excellent contribution to the game over the years in an interaction with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Dravid hailed Kohli as an absolute "legend of the game" as he heads to the capital city for India's second league stage encounter. 

From one Indian legend to the other, Dravid affirmed Kohli to be one of the finest players to have ever graced the cricket field before teammate Shubman Gill joined in the praise for the former India skipper. Gill, who is unfortunately out of reckoning with dengue, said watching Kohli has been an education at the other end. 

Hailing the institutional batting figure, Kohli's potential successor pointed out how the stalwart has an "unparalleled hunger and passion" for the game of cricket and is ever so determined to improve and uplift his standards with the bat and in the field. 

'A Fighter And Game Changer' - Oppositions Rave Over Kohli 

 Dravid and Shubman's effusive praise was followed by the word from popular figures in the opposition camp at the ongoing World Cup in India. Australian legend Steve Smith called Kohli the "best ODI player" he has seen.

Notably, Smith's remarks were made only days after Kohli produced another masterclass of a knock in an ODI run-chase against his team in the two countries' tournament opener in Chennai on Sunday (October 8). Kohli helped India overcome a tricky spot and finished with an exceptional 85 in the team's six-wicket triumph. 

Next up was New Zealand pace giant Trent Boult, whose dismissal of Kohli at the 2019 World Cup semifinal maybe famous but the left-arm quick reckons the Indian batting great is a "quality" player and is someone who "makes you feel pressure" as a bowler running in against him. 

Last but certainly not least, Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka hailed Kohli's attitude as a cricketer, raving over him as a "fighter" and a "game changer" with bat in hand. Shanaka's word came out of experience of seeing Kohli take multiple games away from Sri Lanka's reach.