The difference between good and great players, if one must put it like that, is that the former create an impact for a small duration or certain duration of time but the latter leave an indelible mark on the conscience or spirit of the sport itself. And perhaps why Virat Kohli belongs to the latter league of elite, once-in-a-lifetime batters is down to the sheer excellence that he has been able to produce with the bat for a considerable period of time. His successes, as you’d reckon, aren’t only noted by his superiors and there have been quite a few- MS Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, and the likes!
Even former cricketers who have not necessarily played against him but have noted closely his body of work and technique remain forever in awe of the great man. And truth be told, this is precisely the sentiment that two of cricket’s finest observed at the end of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s contest versus the Gujarat Titans- yet another contest peppered by the batting greatness of the genius.
Their names- Dale Steyn and Ian Bishop
Much like the regular fans who sit in live contests across stadia in the world to witness Kohli come good with the bat, on this particular occasion, the two extremely successful and well liked former fast bowlers were analysing Virat Kohli’s batting (the right hander scored 81 off 44 deliveries last evening) and this is what they had to say!
“He plays what’s in front of him, he reads the situation.. probably one of the best players that I’ve ever seen who reads the match situation!” lavished Dale Styen when examining the Indian batter’s game awareness.
Dale Steyn & Ian Bishop talking about the Greatness of Virat Kohli. [Espn Cricinfo] pic.twitter.com/nXJ0sQfWBV
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 25, 2026
Truth be told, Steyn got it spot on
Whether it’s Kohli’s ability to map the game in terms of how it’s to be panned out from the first ball or the ability to focus as best as he can, this is how the great batter creates a difference.
More on the subject
Sir Ian Bishop too, joined in the Virat chorus on offering great praise on the better emphasising, “I love Kohli, the batter. But the evolution of those numbers, for a guy who’s in his mid-30s now..continues to evolve in a game that has got high tempo and high gear, is to me extraordinary. That he’s been able to do this and find himself a role to play with such aggression!”
Quite frankly, there’s hardly a surprise as to how such bright minds connected to the game find Kohli’s approach remarkable. As besides the top level of consistency, Virat Kohli, you won’t be wrong to assume, is the ideal output on the batting turf when heart meets the mind matter!
