Virat Kohli’s long and arduous wait has finally come to an end, arriving almost at the twilight of his illustrious career. This momentous occasion followed two heart-wrenching defeats in World Cup finals across white-ball formats and two World Test Championship finals. Finally, the coveted feeling he had yearned for since that memorable night at Wankhede Stadium, 13 summers ago, was within his grasp. In the T20 World Cup final, everything aligned perfectly to fulfill his dream.
Early in the innings, Kohli capitalized on three boundary balls gifted by Marco Jansen, gracefully acknowledging each with a smile. The subsequent double strike in the following over provided him with the ideal scenario to execute his game plan, allowing him to play with the calculated aggression his mind and muscles had memorized. Initially focusing on blocking and carefully selecting his shots, Kohli eventually unleashed a flurry of boundaries and seamlessly transitioned into the tip-and-run mode that defined his best performances. For 38 balls, he eschewed boundaries until the 18th over, when he unleashed a lightning six. His footwork was nimble, his wrists agile, and in the following nine balls before his dismissal, Kohli amassed 26 crucial runs.
What set this performance apart from his earlier outings in the tournament was his impeccable body balance, head alignment, and the bat becoming an extension of his body. Until the final, he had struggled with his form, resorting to uncharacteristic agricultural strokes. Yet, fate aligned perfectly to make his dream a reality. This T20 World Cup, in many ways, belonged to Kohli, though it seemed elusive at times.
Ironically, his most memorable World Cup campaign was also his least prolific in terms of personal achievements. In 2016, he had been India’s linchpin, earning player of the tournament accolades for his exceptional batting displays. In 2022, however, he sacrificed personal glory for the team’s benefit, often falling in pursuit of quick runs. Despite the simmering disappointment of not contributing more with the bat, Kohli prioritized team success over individual accolades every day.
For Kohli, this victory marked a definitive moment of shedding the lingering shadows of past World Cup disappointments, dating back to the iconic night in Mumbai in 2011 when he lifted the World Cup trophy alongside his idol, Sachin Tendulkar. Over the next 13 years, Kohli poured his heart and soul into the game, striving to replicate Tendulkar’s impact and becoming the face of Indian cricket. As captain, he infused his team with aggression and resilience, leading India to unprecedented heights including their first-ever Test series victory in Australia.
Despite the numerous near-misses in global tournaments, including finals and semifinals, Kohli’s determination never wavered. He faced criticism, doubts, and the loss of captaincy, all while battling personal and professional challenges. “It’s not a great feeling to wake up knowing that you won’t be able to score runs… I felt I was the loneliest guy in the world,” he shared candidly.
Reflecting on his career highlights, Kohli admitted that winning the 2011 World Cup at the age of 23 was a defining moment, but his understanding and appreciation deepened over the years as he faced repeated disappointments in subsequent World Cups. This T20 World Cup, his final in the format, presented a last chance to rectify the past and cement his legacy alongside Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Kapil Dev.
However, Kohli’s legacy as one of cricket’s greats was already secure, backed by his staggering numerical achievements. Beyond statistics, his pursuit of the World Cup was driven by a deeper sense of duty and destiny, a commitment to satisfy not only himself but also his fans and country. Finally achieving this milestone brought a sense of completeness to his career. For years he had hoped, for weeks he had believed, and now, with victory secured, Kohli knew that his destiny had been fulfilled.
