New Delhi:
Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli was bestowed with another honour as he was named in TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people list for 2018.
Kohli who is arguably hailed as the best with the willow among the current crop of international batsman has made a reputation of his sorts in breaking cricket records.
The prolific run-getter has always looked up to Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar as his role model. Kohli has often admitted that Sachin was a great influence on him during his early days in the sport.
Kohli was over the moon when his childhood idol Tendulkar showered praise on the current India captain in a profile written for him for TIME's 100 most influential people 2018.
Tendulkar added double delight to Kohli's accolades by stating that he knew from the very start that Kohli was a champion who would scale new highs.
"The U-19 World Cup in 2008 was very important for India, as it would define the next bunch of youngsters who would go on to represent the nation. That was the first time I watched this young, passionate player lead India," Tendulkar wrote.
"Today Virat Kohli is a household name and a champion in cricket. Even back then, his hunger for runs and consistency was remarkable, something that has become the hallmark of his game."
Highlighting how the worth of a true champion lies in not just his success but how he handles failures, Tendulkar said Kohli's determination to counter critics has been remarkable.
"My father always told me that if I focused on what I was doing, over time, detractors would become followers. Virat seems to have a similar outlook when it comes to his game," he wrote. "Every sportsman knows what it’s like to have good spells and bad ones too.
Virat took the criticism he faced during a disappointing West Indies series and returned home with a goal: to improve not only his technique, but also his fitness level. He’s never looked back."
Tendulkar signed off by wishing Kohli even more success and hoped he would continue to bring laurels for India.
