Failure isn't fatal, but failure to change might be - John Wooden
When the runs by his standards had dried up, the Delhi guy was lambasted lock, stock and barrel. Well, he hadn't scored a hundred for more than two years and that was his only fault.
Former cricketers latched on to the 'opportunity' to take digs at him and there were also suggestions that he should quit T20 cricket.
But Virat Kohli again by his standards didn't let those failures get on his nerves. And the match-winning 82 against Pakistan in a cliff-hanger has once again proved that this man personifies the adage - Form is temporary but class is permanent.
So, what makes this special knock different? There could be various interpretations but if we sum it up, the blistering attack on Babar Azam's boys at MCG on Sunday has reinforced the fact that this man is different.
Just imagine, on a huge ground like MCG in a high-octane match, when you are chasing 160 having lost three of your best batters, it requires strength and grit to sail the team through.
He may not have started with a bang, but he held his nerves and upped the ante when required - the best part was that the tension never told on Virat. Despite the asking rate piling up, he kept his cool and the confidence factor was conspicuous by its presence.
With Hardik Pandya by his side, Virat built on the innings and made even a world-class seamer like Shaheen Afridi ordinary with his strokeplay.
The 53-ball knock loaded with 6 boundaries and four over boundaries exhibited maturity in top gear. The planning came in handy and the fact that he kept the scoreboard moving kept chances alive.
And who can forget how he ran for singles after being bowled off a free hit? That was sheer class.
The man has played many a match-winning knock for the country across formats, but this one would definitely rank high in the list if not the Numero Uno position simply in keeping with the circumstances.
And being the ever-modest man, he said, "I have no idea how that happened, I am lost for words."
But the tears at the end simply proved how much pain he had kept to himself during the 'lean phase.'
"Yes, I am not finished yet," perhaps, that is what Virat must have been wondering.
Let's set aside the harrowing times, let's set aside even those harsh words pelted at him - next time, when one sits back to slam a legend, he must not override the fact that class can never be put on the back burner.
Going back to Wooden's words, you may fail but if you fail to change, it could be disastrous and belittling.
Yes, Virat is humane and he can also struggle in between, but to blow an issue out of all proportions just for the sake of being in the news is totally unwarranted and uncalled for.
It's hilarious to see Virender Sehwag's tweet, when he writes, "Yaayyyy…Happyyy Deepawali What an amazing game.High on emotions, but this is probably the most brilliant T20 Innings i have ever seen, take a bow Virat Kohli . Chak De India."
Hahahaha! Isn't he the same man who took swipes at his fellow Delhiite? And what about another legend, another World Cup winner and a resident of Sundernagar who went gaga over Virat's non-performance
The International Cricket Council posted a special tribute to Virat after the match. "Who else but him?! 👀For mastering yet another chase, Virat Kohli is the @aramco POTM 🌟"
Of course, yes, who else but him?
Former BCCI president and someone with whom Virat reportedly had a tiff, Sourav Ganguly without naming him tweets, "Congratulations to the team for a fantastic win and a great start to the World Cup ..@bcci."
Sustaining a good show is no cakewalk and you never know Virat may not shine the way he has today in the remaining part of the tournament, but look beyond that - a super-gifted bloke can never be written off because legends make an impact. Any takers?