“In Virat Kohli you had an extraordinary leader” – Former UK PM David Cameron
Former United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron lavished praise on erstwhile India captain Virat Kohli for his incredible leadership quality. Cameron compared England's reigning Test skipper Ben Stokes’ captaincy to Kohli's. The duo are known for their aggressive leadership.
Kohli is the most successful India captain in Tests, winning 40 out of 68 games, including 11 draws. Meanwhile, Stokes has guided England to 17 wins in 28 Tests, comprising one draw, so far.
David Cameron said (via NDTV):
“I think in Virat Kohli you had an extraordinary leader. Sometimes you can see as we have done now with Ben Stokes our captain. Just incredible leadership on the field and inspiration. And I think you had that with Kohli. So, lots of great cricket players to watch.”
Virat Kohli led India to 135 wins in 213 games across formats. The 35-year-old was the second-best India skipper regarding wins after MS Dhoni (178 victories in 332 games). He, however, failed to win any ICC trophy.
David Cameron, meanwhile, served as UK PM from 2011 to 2016. The 58-year-old is currently in India as a mediator in the Ukraine-Russia war and ties with the UK.
“He scored an amazing century in the UK, I remember that very clearly” – David Cameron on Virat Kohli’s batting
David Cameron further lauded Virat Kohli for his excellence with the bat. He reminisced how John Major spoke highly about his batting.
“He scored an amazing century in the UK, I remember that very clearly. I remember sitting with John Major actually, another Conservative Prime Minister who’s even more cricket obsessed than I am. He said watch this guy, ‘He’s really very very good,” Cameron said in the same interaction.
In Tests, Kohli has amassed 1096 runs in 17 Tests in England with the help of two tons and five half-centuries. The right-handed batter scored 149 and 103 in Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, respectively. Kohli also enjoys a good record in England in ODIs, amassing 1349 runs in 33 matches with the best score of 107 at Sophia Gardens in 2011.
The Delhi-born player, who currently resides in the UK, recently completed 27,000 runs in international cricket and 9,000 in Tests. He scored 0 and 70 in the first Test against New Zealand.