Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Modern cricket superstar Virat Kohli once again expressed deep admiration for legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, saying that he would like to absorb all the qualities of the batting maestro if possible. The statement came during a fun social media video shared by Royal Challengers Bangalore, where Kohli was asked to choose special attributes from famous personalities across sports and entertainment.

In the video, Kohli was presented with a list of global celebrities including pop icon Taylor Swift, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, former Indian captain MS Dhoni, football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson. Kohli was asked to pick one distinctive trait from each personality.

When asked about Taylor Swift, Kohli admitted that he was not very familiar with her music or work. He humorously said that since he had limited knowledge about her songs, commenting on her specific qualities would be difficult. The response generated attention on social media, adding a lighter entertainment touch to the video.

From Shah Rukh Khan, Kohli chose the Bollywood star’s humility and graceful public behaviour. From MS Dhoni, he admired the legendary calmness and emotional stability that Dhoni displayed during high pressure cricketing situations. Kohli also expressed his desire to adopt Cristiano Ronaldo’s discipline and work ethic, Lionel Messi’s almost magical technical ability, and Dwayne Johnson’s iconic eyebrow raising style, which has become a global pop culture symbol.

However, the most emotional moment came when the discussion turned to Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli became visibly sentimental while speaking about the cricket icon, describing him as the greatest player he has ever seen. Kohli said he would like to take all of Tendulkar’s cricketing qualities if possible, especially highlighting the legendary batter’s elegant lap shot technique. He explained how Tendulkar played spin bowling with remarkable composure and precision without appearing rushed, describing the shot as smooth, natural and technically brilliant.

Kohli further said that he often struggles while trying to replicate Tendulkar’s signature style, particularly the controlled placement and timing that made the shot famous. The statement once again reflected Kohli’s long standing respect for the master blaster.

This is not the first time Kohli has openly praised Tendulkar. In earlier interviews, the modern batting great had clearly stated that he never considers himself superior to Tendulkar. Kohli had said that comparisons between him and the cricket legend are unnecessary because Tendulkar’s contribution to the sport is unparalleled.

The video has generated widespread discussion among cricket fans, reinforcing Kohli’s reputation not only as a world class player but also as someone who openly acknowledges the legacy of cricket’s greatest icons.