Could not have dreamt of the blessings: Virat Kohli on his 11-year journey

Virat Kohli completed 11 years in international cricket on August 18 and it has been a tremendous journey. Kohli, who had made his debut on August 18, 2008 took to his official Twitter handle to reflect on his journey as a cricketer. In his handle, he wrote, "From starting as a teenager on the same day in 2008 to reflecting on the journey 11 years after, I couldn't have dreamt of the blessings God has showered me with. May you all get the strength and power to follow your dreams and always follow the right path."

Kohli made his debut in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on August 18 and he came out to open the batting with fellow Delhi team-mate Gautam Gambhir. India started badly when Gambhir was bowled by Chaminda Vaas for 0. Kohli struggled to get going and he showed glimpses of his talent when he flicked a full ball to the deep square leg fence for his first boundary. However, on 12, he was dismissed LBW by Nuwan Kulasekara with a good length delivery that nipped back in to trap him plumb in front.

Since that match, Kohli's batting and his reputation as one of the best batsmen in the modern era has only enhanced. Kohli is the ultimate run-making machine in the modern era. After the retirement of Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli has taken the mantle of being consistent in all formats of the game and his sheer ability to make runs in all conditions makes him a class act. Currently, Virat Kohli has 6613 runs at an average of 53 in 77 Tests while in ODIs, he has a staggering 11520 runs at an average of 60 with 43 centuries. Kohli is on track to break Tendulkar's tally of runs and centuries in ODIs. 

From starting as a teenager on the same day in 2008 to reflecting on the journey 11 years after, I couldn't have dreamt of the blessings God has showered me with. May you all get the strength and power to follow your dreams and always follow the right path. 🇮🇳ðŸ™ÂðŸ˜‡#forevergrateful pic.twitter.com/sTZ7tKEoMz

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 19, 2019

Kohli will soon join the league of cricketing legends like Virender Sehwag, Bishan Singh Bedi and MAK Pataudi to have a stand in Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla stadium named after him. The Delhi & District Cricket Association on Sunday announced that it will name one of the stands in Kotla as ‘Virat Kohli Stand’ in honour of his achievements.

The Indian skipper will be the youngest players, who is currently active, to have a stand being named after him. Before Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni had a stand named after them at Mumbai's Wankhede stadium and JSCA Stadium in Ranchi, respectively.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Virat Kohli will have a stand named after him at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
• Virat Kohli made his international debut on August 18, 2008.
• Virat Kohli has scored 11520 runs in ODIs at an average of over 60.