TIL Desk Sports/ Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar today said he noticed the aggressive “spark” in Virat Kohli when he made his India debut and that characteristic has rubbed off on the entire team. Kohli, who is known for his aggression, yesterday scored his 31st century in his 200th ODI against New Zealand, albeit in a losing cause.
He raced past former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting, and is now only behind Tendulkar, who has 49 ODI hundreds to his credit. “His (Kohli’s) attitude hasn’t changed since he got into the team. I noticed that spark in him which many guys were not fond of and there were many guys who were criticising him for that,” Tendulkar said.
“And today that has become the strength of the Indian team. He hasn’t changed much but people around him have changed. His attitude has changed only because of his performances and it is extremely crucial for a player to have that freedom to express himself,” the legendary batsman added.