Virat Kohli's stats speak for themselves, but he was so much more than that: Nasser Hussain

Nasser Hussain recently commented on Virat Kohli's characteristic attributes which had made the former English skipper a 'massive fan' of the latter. Hussain's remarks come after the ace Indian batter announced his retirement from the longest format of the game on Monday, May 12.

Hussain called Kohli an 'unbelievable player', also admitting that he was that one person who symbolised passion for cricket more than anyone else as far as Indian cricket is concerned. 

"I have been a massive Virat Kohli fan over the last 14 years. His stats speak for themselves, but he was so much more than that. It was his aura, swagger, and passion. We know Indian cricket fans, and the game means so much to them. They want their captain to show them what it means to the team, and no one embodied that passion for cricket in India more than Kohli. He was an unbelievable player," shared Hussain on a Sky Sports Cricket podcast.

He made India into the force they are today: Hussain

Hussain believed that Kohli’s obsession with giving his all every single time he took the field could have possibly made it tough for him to continue in a format he deeply loved, indirectly hinting at an extended slump in form in red-ball cricket.

"He is the ultimate winner, he sees the end goal as a win, and he is desperate for that. Everything for Kohli is about winning. Why do you think he's so good in run chases? He can't go on the field and not be a hundred per cent, he can't ever go: 'I'll just do my best today'. That may have formed part of his retirement decision, he doesn't want to be a normal cricketer, just doing a little bit here and there. He made India into the force they are today," added Hussain.

Anderson pays tribute to 'fiercest competitor' Kohli

Also Read

Anderson pays tribute to 'fiercest competitor' Kohli

India will be without the presence of Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their upcoming tour of England. The five-match series is scheduled to commence on June 20. The squad for the series is yet to be announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).