After hitting rock bottom, Virat Kohli regains lofty heights, Anushka says ‘you bring so much joy in people’s life’

A month ago, Kohli was in the dumps, mentally, game-wise, and, by his own words, “faking intensity”; the game had become a chore. But it all changed in World T20 opening game against Pakistan.

Melbourne : Virat Kohli  was on Rohit Sharma’s  shoulders, being cradled and swung in celebration, respect, and admiration, with close to 100,000 ecstatic fans screaming their heads off. A moment ago, Kohli was almost in tears, first punching the ground, then taking his helmet off, and raising his index finger to the skies. A release of pent-up emotions after the greatest innings of his career.

It was some sight. Kohli un-bottling, Sharma serenading — two men who aren’t really close friends but have, over the years, acknowledged each other’s greatness.

In the tournament’s most-watched game, chasing a tricky Pakistan total of 160, Kohli’s 53 ball 82 took India home. The win in this high pressure opening game was a perfect lift-off for India in the World T20 in Australia. Kohli’s knock that will be talked about for years had a couple of sixes — against pacer Haris Rauf in the 19th over — that have already gained iconic status.

The context elevated this knock to greater heights. A month ago, he was in the dumps, mentally, game-wise, and, by his own words, “faking intensity”; the game had become a chore. Then there were the post-captaincy blues. He had effectively alleged the selectors and the then BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had lied that he was informed to not quit the T20 captaincy. He had talked about former players who offered advice on television, and not to him personally; he thought that was dishonest. Once at the IPL, after yet another failure, he had even lamented at the gods, at his fate. He took a break, didn’t touch a bat for a month, and luckily came back with all the rancour erased and love for the game returned.