Virat Kohli stands as one of the most exceptional batsmen in cricket history, a coveted asset for any team fortunate enough to have him. His remarkable statistics across all three formats of the game are nothing short of breathtaking. At 34 years old, he reigns as the highest run-scorer in T20Is, boasting nearly 13,000 runs in ODIs, and amassing over 8,500 Test runs. As a captain, Virat elevated India's cricketing stature, guiding the team to unprecedented heights, even though they missed out on ICC trophies. His leadership crowned him India's most successful Test captain, commemorated by India's historic Test series victory against Australia in 2018-19.
Virat Kohli enjoys immense popularity in Australia, earning respect and admiration from Australian cricket legends and experts alike. However, when Matthew Hayden, the former Australian opening batter and the leading run-scorer in the 2007 ODI World Cup, was posed with the intriguing question of which current Indian cricketer he would have chosen to play for Australia in the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup, he took an unexpected turn, opting not to name Kohli. Instead, he singled out a 29-year-old sensation.
In Hayden's eyes, the player he would have coveted for the Australian squad in the World Cup was none other than Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, one of India's finest fast bowlers, has carved his name into the annals of cricket history. His skill and prowess are set to be showcased as he represents the Men in Blue in the imminent ODI World Cup, commencing on October 5th of this year.
