Virat Kohli has everything young people need in their role model: Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami recently explained why Virat Kohli is an ideal role model for youngsters and lauded his tremendous dedication to the sport.

Kohli has had an exemplary career so far. Having played 522 international matches, the Delhi batter has amassed 26,733 runs. He is also the leading run-scorer in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with 7,897 runs from 249 matches. Kohli is also hailed as one of India's finest red-ball captains.

Shami, who flourished as a wicket-taking pacer in Kohli's captaincy era, said that the 35-year-old puts great emphasis on his fitness and batting skills and always stays in the zone. The Bengal speedster said that Kohli is an ideal role model for youngsters.

"He keeps his plans very clear, be it fitness, batting. Even if you give him the bowling, he will do the job, even with his cross feet (wrong foot) action. Woh ek aisa banda hai jo kahin bhi rahe woh apne frame (zone) mei rehta zaroor hai. Woh jab bhi aayega, woh show karega apne aap ko ke haan 'mai kya hu (he is such a person who stays focused wherever he is. Whenever he returns, he shows who he is)," said Shami on Cricbuzz.

"If there are such role models for today's generation, imagine how much they will get to learn -- fitness, skill and so on. Every aspect you look at, you find loyalty for everything. That is reflected in Virat Kohli. He has everything that young people need in their role model,” he added.

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Virat Kohli retains Orange Cap with splendid knock versus PBKS

Kohli has been in phenomenal form in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. On Thursday, May 9, the talismanic batter slammed a 47-ball 92 against Punjab Kings and helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru set a daunting target of 242 at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. With this knock, he extended his lead over Ruturaj Gaikwad who is second on the list. The veteran has aggregated 634 runs from 12 matches at an average of 70.44 and a strike rate of 153.51.

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The Royal Challengers went on to win the match by 60 runs after rolling over Punjab for 181 runs in the 17th over. With this win, RCB moved to 10 points from 12 matches and eliminated the Kings in the process. Kohli will look to continue his rich vein of form in the last lap of the league phase and take Bengaluru to the playoffs. The T20 World Cup 2024 is set to be held next month and Kohli's performances will be crucial as India look to end their 11-year wait for an ICC title.