Stamp of Class

 

AS SOCCER took the spotlight with the draw of lots for the FIFA World Cup 2026 grabbing headlines, two seasoned campaigners on the cricket field kicked-off a new debate about the beauty of old wine amid a plethora of new cocktails. On different parts of the globe, Joe Root and Virat Kohli came into their own and dished out stuff that was pure treat for real connoisseurs of cricket. Their formats were different but their intent and tenacity remained the same. Their hunger for runs transcended the narrow talk of age defining a cricketer’s playing career. Both carved their own path, weaved their own world and reminded the cricketing world yet again that class is always permanent. The second Ashes Test saw England batsman Root slam a majestic hundred.

 

He not only bailed out his team against the dominant Australians but also showed that a fighter remains on till the last ball is bowled in his career. This was Root’s first hundred in Australia. The fire burning in his belly to correct this big wrong propelled him to summon all his mental strength and put up a fight in the Pink Ball Test. The century will have its significance in the game though it might get overshadowed by other performances and the end result. But there is no denying the applause that Root is getting from the fraternity.

 

The veteran has earned the accolades just on the dint of his dogged determination to excel despite doubts over his ageing muscles. Far away from Down Under, the Indian cities were living a dream of Virat Kohli in full flow. Retired from the Tests and Twenty20 Internationals, the former Indian captain was making the most of his opportunities in One-Day cricket. Along with Rohit Sharma, there were questions about Kohli’s selection in the ODI team when India toured Australia a few days ago. The duo silenced the murmur with astonishing innings in the Sydney game. Kohli led the reply to critics with a fantastic century. The Ro-Ko duo was alive and kicking. Yet, they needed to replicate the same in home conditions against the visiting South Africans.

 

Kohli aced it, and how! The first ODI saw Kohli extending his Sydney form without any hiccups despite the break between the two series. He answered India’s call with a classy century and a few days later repeated the feat to become the highest century-maker in ODI cricket. It was pure genius from the temperamental batsman. All the innings in the three ODIs were a delight for cricket fans. There was violence but in a totally calculated manner. There was aggression but with smart mix of caution. It was vintage Kohli, turning back the clock by years. Both Root and Kohli are from the same generation. Both have served their countries exceedingly well. Both have entered a phase where their age has become a point of debate for selectors. But both have again proved to the world that they still possess the ability to stamp their class.