"Virat is an exemplary professional": Laxman praises Kohli, says youngsters wants to emulate him
Bengaluru, August 9
Board of Control for Cricket in India's Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman on Sunday lauded legendary Indian batter Virat Kohli as an exemplary professional and role model.
He stressed that Kohli consistently sets very high standards for himself and strives to meet them every time he plays, inspiring young cricketers and teammates to emulate him.
"I think there is no doubt that Virat is an exemplary professional. And the standards he sets for himself are something which he tries and goes out every time he plays (for) whichever team to meet those standards," Laxman told the reporters at a press conference in Bengaluru on Sunday.
"And that's why he is a great role model. And I think a lot of youngsters or players want to emulate him," he added.
Laxman also defended the BCCI Centre of Excellence amid scrutiny over India's growing injury list. He stressed that injuries are an inevitable part of a cricketer's career and said the priority should be careful monitoring and management of players, rather than blaming the CoE or looking for scapegoats.
Several key players are currently dealing with injuries, with Jasprit Bumrah, Sai Sudharsan, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar among those facing fitness concerns.
"CoE is not merely a rehab centre. There are bigger roles to play for it in helping cricketers achieve excellence," Laxman said.
Laxman also spoke about the vacant position of Head of Sports Science and Medicine (SSM) at the CoE, saying the BCCI has faced difficulties in finding a suitable candidate for the role.
He said the position requires not only stature and experience but also an understanding of Indian cricketers and their requirements.
"After Nitin (Patel) left, we couldn't fill his shoes. Everything was agreed upon; Andrew (Leipus) backed off citing family reasons," Laxman said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Laxman sir is right about Virat, but I feel bad about the injury situation. Bumrah is our main bowler and we need him fit for the World Cup. Hope the CoE sorts out the medical team issue quickly - we cant depend on luck anymore. 🙏
VVS Laxman speaking sense as always. Virat's preparation and work ethic is something every aspiring cricketer should study. But the CoE needs to be more transparent about the injury management - fans deserve answers about players like Washington Sundar who keep getting injured.
One thing about Kohli - he never takes shortcuts. Watching him practice for hours, even after achieving so much, is a lesson for all of us. And I agree with Laxman ji - injuries happen in sports, but we need proper monitoring. Missing head of sports science for so long is concerning. 🤔
Virat is a legend no doubt, but I wish Laxman also spoke about why young talents like Sai Sudharsan are getting injured so early in their careers. We need a proper system, not just praise. But yes, Kohli's professionalism is something every player should follow.
As someone who follows cricket closely from abroad, I can say Kohli's impact goes beyond India. His dedication is why he is still among the best. But I hope the board focuses on the injury issue - losing Bumrah would be a huge blow for world cricket too.
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