Driven: The Virat Kohli Story

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But even defied figures have to begin somewhere. His family didn’t always have it good. His father, a criminal lawyer, succumbed to a celebral stroke when Virat was very young, depriving him of someone he calls his ‘biggest support’ both on and off the field. The son paid his tribute to Prem Kohli in a way the older man himself would have applauded: Virat Kohli returned to the field to continue an innings a few hours after he lost him. ‘He was the one who drove me to practice every day, ’ the captain of the Indian cricket team recalls with his characteristic humility and grace. 

Widely read sports journalist Vijay Lokapally goes on to record happier times on the journey of Virat’s rapid rise to international stardom, an account punctuated by little-known stories by his fellow players, coaches and intimates. 

At 28, he has already been the recipient of countless accolades — not the least of them being the Arjuna Award and the title of BCCI’s ‘International Cricketer of the Year’ for the 2011-12 and 2014-15 seasons. He was the ICC’s ‘ODI Player of the Year’ as early as in 2012. On a more commercial note, British journal SportsPro pronounced him the ‘second-most marketable athlete in the world’ just two years later. 

But for the Run Machine, it’s not about the money or fame or the roar of the crowds or that women of all ages vie for the wide-eyed attention of his extraordinary gaze. Few incidences have been reported of his open hearted altruism, his numerous charities for under-privileged children and his sheer pluck when the odds are against him. 

But what has not escaped the public eye is how this wizard of the willow and wicket wears his heavy mantle with such insouciant ease.

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This book is awesome.i am loving every bit of it,.Everyone playing a part in his life has a special place in the book.the best thing about this book is that it has got amazing stats of his career in a very different way go for it. --By Himank Shekhar on 21 October 2016

Virat is a work in progress. He is an engrossing character, who will fight tooth and nail for his partners, and take on the opposition with a blend of aggression and calmness. Many opponents have discovered his anger in a verbal dose to assert his presence. He firmly believes in giving it back. His middle-finger wagging act in Australia in 2012 was an example of how Virat would not accept things lying down. --By Anupam Rajmani on 9 October 2016

About the Author

Vijay Lokapally has written on cricket for over three decades. He is a widely travelled cricket scribe with the distinction of having reported extensively on the game from practically every international venue. Employed with the Hindu, a respected National newspaper since 1986, Lokapally is acknowledged for his insightful views on the game. He covered his first Test in 1981 as a freelancer apart from six limited-over World Cups for the Hindu and Sportstar. His enviable access to cricketers, past and present, gives Lokapally a ring-side view of the game in India. He lives in Delhi with Sunanda, his wife and son Akshay.

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