cricket

Updated: Aug 08, 2018 09:50 IST

Virat Kohli’s showing with the bat in the first Test against England at Edgbaston was perhaps one of the few bright spots for the Indian cricket team as they succumbed to a 31-run loss despite looking favourites to win at one point.

Kohli might have come under some criticism from experts, but Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has some advice for the current skipper - never let the hunger for getting runs die out.

“I would say, just continue, he’s doing a fantastic job so just continue. Don’t worry about what’s happening around you, keep your focus on what you want to achieve, and let your heart guide the way,“ Tendulkar told ESPNcricinfo.

“Along the way there will be plenty of things said and done, but eventually, if you are passionate about what you want in life, then the results will invariably follow.”

“I can tell you from my own experience, however many runs you score they are never enough. You want more runs, and that is the case with Virat. However many runs he scores, it will never be enough for him.

“The downfall starts when you are satisfied. It’s nice to be happy, but never be satisfied when you are a batsman. Bowlers can only get ten wickets, but batters can go on and go, so don’t be satisfied, just be happy.”

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Virat Kohli exorcised his demons as he slammed a brilliant 149 in the first innings at Edgbaston. During the 2014 Test series in England, Kohli failed to fire for his team but it was a completely different story in the first Test.

While most of the other top order batsmen struggled against the disciplined bowling attack, Kohli continued to play exquisite shots and his century was a huge boost for the visiting side.

Thanks to the impressive performance, Kohli leapfrogged Australia’s Steve Smith to become the No.1 ranked Test batsman in the world.

Kohli ended Steve Smith’s 32-month reign as the top-ranked batsman and in the process, became the seventh Indian and first since Sachin Tendulkar (2011) to achieve this milestone.