Virat Kohli: A Global Superstar Beyond Cricket

Virat Kohli: A Global Superstar Transcending Cricket

Former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has hailed Virat Kohli as a "global superstar in the world of sports," whose influence extends far beyond the cricket field. Kohli's massive social media following and broader impact on sports culture have earned him admiration from fans and fellow athletes alike.

Taylor, who has played 112 Tests and 236 ODIs for New Zealand, believes that social media has made cricketers more accessible to the public. He views this as a positive development, as it allows players to connect with their fans on a more personal level.

"Players are putting out posts endorsing products and things like that. Who would have thought of that in 2008? Someone like Kohli, who is a superstar in the world of cricket, but is also a global superstar in the world of sports. In terms of Instagram and social media, he's up there with Ronaldo and Messi!" Taylor said.

Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, however, expressed mixed feelings about the impact of social media on players' privacy. While acknowledging its benefits, he also highlighted the drawbacks, particularly the constant scrutiny that players face.

"In the early 2000s, when the phones came in, people would take a photo with you. There was an autograph and a photo. In mid-2015 and 2020, what happens now is that the players are always on show now. Anyone that is playing in the Indian Premier League, they are always on show, they go out for dinner, and someone comes with a phone camera," Lee said.

"The phone camera was the best thing and the worst thing ever invented. The best thing is to capture beautiful memories with your family and friends, and as a spectator and lover of the sport, you also capture those moments. But also, the privacy now, for players, has been cut in half because you are on show everywhere."

Former Australian cricketer Michael Bevan emphasized the potential impact of social media on young players' performance. He advised them to be mindful of the comments they read and to make informed decisions about their social media usage.

"The younger generation uses social media that would impact their situation and circumstance and career. They would have to make a decision on whether they want to read the comments, or how much they want to post," Bevan said.

"I could imagine it would be extra difficult for some of the modern-day players, with T20 cricket, with social media…but as a player, you've always got to make the decision on how you handle. Do you want to read things or do you not want to read things? That's the most important thing… to understand yourself, and to understand your game."

Tags: #ViratKohli, #RossTaylor, #BrettLee, #MichaelBevan, #SocialMedia